Chandrapur Farmers Face Higher Crop Insurance Premiums Amid Disparities Chandrapur farmers are reportedly paying significantly higher premiums for crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) compared to neighboring districts, prompting concerns over the financial burden on agricultural communities. Former minister and BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar has raised the issue, urging Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane to intervene. He highlighted that the premium rates, notified on July 3, impose an unfair burden despite Chandrapur sharing similar climatic conditions, rainfall patterns, and agricultural practices with districts like Gadchiroli, Gondia, Bhandara, Nagpur, and Wardha. Mungantiwar pointed out stark disparities in premium rates. For instance, paddy farmers in Chandrapur are required to pay Rs 1,300 per hectare, compared to Rs 512 in Gadchiroli, Rs 575 in Bhandara, Rs 60 in Gondia, and Rs 65 in Nagpur. Similarly, cotton growers in Chandrapur face a premium of Rs 1,300 per hectare, while farmers in Gadchiroli pay Rs 590, and those in Nagpur and Wardha pay Rs 65 each. Soyabean farmers in Chandrapur are charged Rs 1,250 per hectare, far exceeding the Rs 65 rate in Wardha. Mungantiwar emphasized that these higher premiums come at a time when farmers are already grappling with substantial costs for seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and irrigation. He warned that the steep charges could deter farmers from enrolling in the PMFBY, leaving them vulnerable to losses from natural calamities such as floods, droughts, excessive rainfall, pest attacks, and crop diseases.#devendra_fadnavis #pradhan_mantri_fasal_bima_yojana #chandrapur #sudhir_mungantiwar #dattatray_bharane
Nearly all crop insurance claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) have been settled, according to the Centre's response in the Lok Sabha. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed a starred question from Congress MP Kumari Selja, who had raised concerns about delays or non-payment of claims. Chouhan stated that over 20 lakh grievances were registered through the Krishi Rakshak Portal and toll-free helpline 14447 between January 2024 and February 2026, with nearly all complaints resolved during this period. In Haryana, 41,526 complaints were received, of which 99.5% were resolved. The government’s response included grievance data for 23 states and three Union Territories, though Punjab’s data was excluded. Chouhan highlighted the scale of the scheme, noting that 40.76 crore applications were enrolled across India over three years, with Rs 54,883 crore disbursed to 9.82 crore farmers. In Haryana alone, 2.99 crore applications were processed, and over Rs 3,149 crore was paid to 56 lakh farmers as compensation for crop losses. The minister acknowledged occasional delays in claim settlements, citing factors such as delayed state subsidy releases, discrepancies in yield data, or late submission of insurance proposals by banks. To address these issues, the government has implemented measures like the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) for online enrollment and electronic claim transfers, and the Digiclaim Module for monitoring payments. Penalty provisions of 12% interest have been introduced for delays by insurance companies or state governments, with states required to maintain escrow accounts for premium deposits starting from kharif 2025.#haryana #shivraj_singh_chouhan #pradhan_mantri_fasal_bima_yojana #kumari_selja #krishi_rakshak_portal
Over 11.6 lakh farmer applications enrolled under PMFBY in J&K: Govt More than 11.6 lakh farmer applications have been registered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Jammu and Kashmir, according to government data. The scheme, which provides insurance coverage for crop losses, has seen significant participation from farmers in the region. The initiative aims to protect agricultural produce against natural calamities, pests, and diseases, ensuring financial stability for farmers. Under the PMFBY, farmers are required to pay a low premium rate, with the cost shared between the central government and state governments. For Kharif crops, the premium is up to 2 per cent of the sum insured, while Rabi crops carry a rate of up to 1.5 per cent. Commercial and horticultural crops, however, have a higher premium of up to 5 per cent. The remaining actuarial premium is typically divided equally between the Centre and states. In Jammu and Kashmir, however, the ratio is adjusted to 90:10 in favor of the central government, reflecting the unique financial arrangements for the region. The scheme’s structure is designed to reduce the financial burden on farmers while ensuring adequate coverage. The central government’s higher contribution in J&K underscores the need for additional support in the region, where agricultural challenges are often more pronounced. The government has emphasized that the PMFBY plays a critical role in safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in areas prone to climate-related risks. In response to questions about the implementation of the scheme, a senior official highlighted that land and agriculture fall under the purview of state governments as per the Constitution.#central_government #state_governments #jammu_and_kashmir #pradhan_mantri_fasal_bima_yojana #pradhan_mantri_krishi_sinchayee_yojana
