Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a thorough investigation into irregularities in crop insurance claims and assured farmers of quick and fair settlements, following complaints of insufficient compensation.
In a meeting held in the national capital on Monday, Chouhan instructed insurance companies and government officials to address all discrepancies in claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). He emphasised that no farmer should suffer due to procedural errors, and that payments must be made in full without delay.
Chouhan expressed his strong disapproval of the situation, remarking that claims as low as Rs 1, Rs 3, or Rs 5 were an “outrage” and a “mockery” of farmers. “The government will not tolerate such practices,” he said, calling for immediate accountability from both insurance companies and state authorities involved in the claim process.
The Minister also stressed the importance of using scientific and accurate methods for assessing crop damage, ensuring that only reliable data is used to calculate compensation.
During the meeting, Chouhan virtually connected with farmers from Maharashtra, who had received minimal compensation despite suffering significant crop losses. He questioned both state and central officials regarding the discrepancies and demanded corrective measures to resolve the issue.
Drawing attention to similar issues in his own constituency of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh, Chouhan highlighted cases where farmers received as little as Rs 1 in compensation, despite reporting significant losses. He deemed this as “clear injustice” and warned that those responsible would face strict action.
In response to the irregularities, Chouhan directed the CEO of PMFBY to conduct on-the-ground investigations in all cases where claims were as low as Rs 1 to Rs 5. He also instructed that insurance company representatives be present during crop damage surveys to ensure full transparency.
The Minister pointed out that some states were delaying their contributions to the insurance fund, which had been holding up farmers’ claim payments. He stressed that the Centre should not be blamed for delays caused by state governments, announcing that any states failing to pay their share on time would now incur a 12 per cent interest charge.
Chouhan also called on officials to make better use of technology to improve transparency and ensure that farmers are fully informed about the claims process. “I have issued strict instructions in the interest of farmers – claims must be disbursed quickly and together, and all discrepancies must be resolved,” he concluded.
(IANS)