2 cr farmers await revival of free crop insurance scheme
Vijayawada: The inordinate delay in the revival of free crop insurance scheme has put about two crore farmers in a tight spot. Although farmers hoped that the govt will pump life back into the free crop insurance scheme ahead of the Kharif season, the govt remained silent even as the crop season commenced across the state.
Curiously, agriculture minister K Atchannaidu promised in the assembly to launch the best crop insurance scheme.
The state govt had in fact abruptly walked out of the crop insurance scheme implemented by the previous YSRCP regime stating that it was not beneficial either to farmers or the govt. The TDP-led NDA, which came to power last June, took time to study crop insurance schemes implemented by various states. Sources said that the govt is not keen to revive the scheme as it would anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 crore.
The previous YSRCP govt had also goofed up the crop insurance scheme when it wanted to implement the scheme without joining the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Three years later, the govt joined hands with the Centre and joined the Fasal Bima Yojana.
According to information, the state govt used to pay a premium of 1,500-1,600 crore to cover certain crops under insurance. The Centre has been spending around 300-400 crore under Fasal Bima Yojana.
The farmers were made to pay 10-15% of the total premium under Fasal Bima Yojana which costs around 500-700 crore to the farmers. Initially, the previous govt launched a complete free crop insurance scheme. However, the delay in payment of premium from the govt failed to give the desired results when the farmers lost their crops to the natural calamities.
"The crop insurance scheme initiated by the our government between 2014-19 was the best. We are planning to bring a new scheme with requisite changes. The crop insurance policy adopted by the previous government not beneficial to the farmers," said Atchnnaidu during a debate in the assembly recently. He explained that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy government was yet to pay crop insurance claims under free insurance-PMFBY after rabi 2022-23 to the farmers.
He said that the PMFBY claims about 1,400 crore was not settled due to the bungling of the scheme and payments by previous govt.
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