The Karnataka High Court on Thursday ordered issue of notices to the Union and State governments on a PIL petition seeking directions for disbursal of crop insurance to the farmers in State who suffered loss due to drought and to ensure effective implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojan (PMFBY) by strictly adhering to mandated guidelines.

A Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy and Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar passed the order on the petition filed by Akhanda Karnataka Raitha Sangha based in Shahpur of Yadgir district.

The petitioner has claimed that the improper manner in which the PMFBY has been implemented in the State has resulted in farmers being deprived of their premium as well as the crop insurance loss compensation, which has exacerbated their vulnerability. The petition said failure to follow the full mandate and procedure of the PMFBY has resulted in denial of crop loss compensation.

While referring to media reports of shortcomings in the PMFBY, the petitioner has asked authorities to investigate the total amount being paid to private insurance companies and the actual disbursement to farmers, and the reasons for non-disbursal.

The petitioners have also sought a direction for constituting a a high-level committee consisting of the State and Union government authorities, representatives of farmers’ organisations, and independent experts, to conduct an inquiry into the PMFBY, particularly premium rates, the fixation of threshold yields, the crop-cutting experiment process, the settlement of claims, and other key aspects.