"Interestingly, as per the Punjab Police, only seven suicides have been reported in the last seven years across Punjab, while the state government status report of 2004 puts the number at 2,116. The Punjab Farmers' Commission's report of 2006 places the figure at 2,000 per year and the Punjab Revenue Department's report of 2007 says 132 suicides took place in the last seven years. But MASR puts the figure at 3,000 per year," he said.

Jaijee alleged that the state government does not want the true figure of suicide to come out, as it will have to give more money. In 2002, when the SAD-BJP was in power, they promised to give Rs 2.5 lakh per family and earmarked Rs 2 crore, but nothing was done, he said. Then, the Congress came to power and did zilch for the farmers, he added.

Manmeet Singh and Harpreet Kaur from the USA, who are making a documentary on these children and the farmers' suicides, took the children to meet Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Singh say, "He gave us an appointment for January 31, and did not meet. Then he asked us to meet the next day, but again avoided us. But Harpreet managed to throw some pamphlets in his car. After a few hours, he met us and gave the assurance that he will write to the Punjab Chief Minister to financially help these 12 children and also give them free education. However, he did not talk to the children."