India, Nov. 2 -- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has warned moneylenders, banks and microfinance companies against harassing drought-hit farmers, saying murder cases would be registered if a farmer dies by suicide due to loan recovery-related harassment.

The government would stand firmly with farmers and extend all possible assistance during the agrarian crisis, Shinde said on Sunday, urging cultivators not to lose hope.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a 100-bed sub-district hospital at Wadi Budruk in Nanded district.

Shinde cautioned financial institutions and recovery agents against using coercive methods to recover loans from distressed farmers, warning that strict action would be taken against those found re...