‘Deposit crop insurance amount by May10’

Chief Secretary Ajay Singh on Thursday directed two insurance companies to transfer the amount under Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme to the bank accounts of drought-affected farmers of  Kharif season 2017 in the State before May 10 this year.

 In a review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, officials of Reliance and IFFCO insurance companies were directed to transfer and amount in the bank account of farmers.

It was informed in the meeting that crop insurance for 12,94,189 farmers in 27 districts of state was done under Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme. Out of which, insurance claim of nearly 2.50 lakh farmers worth Rs 353 crore has not yet been cleared, an official press release informed.

Insurance companies had assured of transferring this amount by March 31, but in the review meet held today, the Chief Secretary found that the companies have not yet taken any action in this direction.

Singh expressed his discontent over this delay and directed these companies that they would be subjected to stern action, if the insurance amount is not transferred to the bank accounts of farmers by May 10, it informed.

 Notably, Chhattisgarh  Government started implementing  the Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme for Kharif season 2017 in May last year.

 Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology had issued notification in this regard, officials informed.

 As per notification, paddy (irrigated) and paddy (non-irrigated)were notified.  Other crops which have been brought under its purview include maize, soyabean, peanuts, Arhar(Tuar), Moong and Urad.

  Village panchayat has been made unit. All kinds of farmers whether they are loanee or non-loanee or landlord or even “bataidars” (those who take agriculture land on lease) can avail the said scheme.

 Those farmers who are cultivating notified crops and their  loan sanctioned from any financial institution from April 2017 to July 2017 for Kharif season will remain under the Insurance cover, it had informed.

 But if farmers have got their loans sanctioned from two different financial institutes for notified crops, they will get insurance cover of only one of the two financial institutes. Non-loanee farmers who have cultivated notified crops, can avail insurance cover by producing necessary documents.

 It has also been clarified in the notification that benefit of insurance cover will be given the same way it was approved in 2016.