Team Herald
PANJIM : Union Ministry for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has asked all the State governments to direct the Gram Sabha’s to inform the farmers about the enrolment and benefits of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) at the beginning of the Rabi season.
The Scheme provides insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests and diseases. The scheme envisages stabilizing the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming and encourages farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has requested the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the State Governments to include PMFBY as an agenda in the upcoming Gram Sabhas. This is as part of the awareness initiatives taken up at various levels by the government and Insurance Companies to create awareness about the Scheme and mobilise farmers to insure their crops,” the Ministry said
The Gram Sabhas will also inform the farmers on how they can insure their crops under the Scheme. This is also the first season for PMFBY with its revised operational guidelines in place. The Central government expects the companies to reduce premium rates, especially as the general cut-off date for enrolment has been advanced by 15 days for both seasons.
As per the revised operational guidelines, the farmers get 72 hours to intimate individual claims against the existing 48 hours. This can be done through any of the channels provided under the Scheme and directly on the portal of PMFBY. In case of any grievance, the farmers can access dedicated grievance redressal authorities.
