Maha agriculture min orders action against insurance company

Amravati: Displeased by the lethargic attitude of IFFCO Tokio General Insurance Company in the matter of settling crop insurance claims of farmers in the district, Maharashtra agriculture minister Dadaji Bhuse on Sunday ordered registration of an offence against the company.
The company was appointed for handling crop insurance scheme in Amravati district. Total 1,72,655 farmers in the district had availed the scheme this kharif season. Out of them, 3,291 farmers had applied for insurance claim in view of the damage caused to their crops. However, the company allegedly did not act promptly to settle the claims.
Taking cognizance of this, Bhuse, who was in the district to visit places that received excessive rainfall and suffered heavy losses, went straight to the insurance company office and found that it was not established according to the set norms. He also did not receive satisfactory replies from company officers about the delay in settling the claims of the farmers.
The minister ordered registering an offence against the company and also warned administration officers of action if they were found supporting or favouring the company.
Around 6.98 lakh hectare land in the district is under kharif cultivation and sowing has been done in over 6.74 lakh hectare thus far. The district has received 392.50mm rainfall since June.