Samajwadi Party State president Rabi Behera on Thursday suggested to the State Government to introduce a crop insurance scheme of its own and shun implementation of Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the State.
“As per media reports, the insurance companies implementing Crop Insurance in Odisha owe 1,719, 38, 79, 000 to farmers. But it has only paid Rs 655 crore to 3.39 lakh farmers till July 15. Still, 15 lakh eligible farmers are awaiting indemnity even as the Chief Secretary had directed all companies to disburse insured amount to all farmers by July 15. The Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana has totally failed in the State for which farmers have taken to the streets,” Behera wrote to the Chief Minister.
Mentioning that farmers have faced a lot of problem, Behera urged the Chief Minister to adopt a crop insurance scheme for farmers in line with the Bihar Government. The PMFBY is not implemented in Bihar, he mentioned.
“If an exclusive Insurance Policy is approved in tomorrow’s Cabinet Meeting, it would be a better option for our farmers instead of the PMFBY,” urged Behera.