A large number of farmers from the Nimapada area in Puri district and members of civil society groups on Tuesday gheraoed the Bank of India (BoI) regional headquarters here protesting the failure of its Nimapada branch in giving crop insurance money and loans to farmers.
led by RTI activist Pradip Pradhan, the protestors alleged that the authorities of the bank’s Nimapada branch despite receiving money from the concerned insurance company have not transferred the same to the calamity since last one and a half years. “Banks, according to guidelines, have to mandatorily credit the claim received by insurance companies into famers’ bank accounts. That apart, banks have also to ensure that all farmers who have taken crop loans against notified crops are compulsorily insured. Banks have also ensure that crop loans are disbursed to farmers according to the guidelines laid down and ensure that funds so allocated are properly used by farmers. But here all guidelines are violated and farmers are the worst sufferer,” alleged Pradhan.
The average premium rate for farmers under the crop insurance scheme stands at 2.5 per cent of the sum insured.
“BoI Regional Manager Amit Ray assured us to look into the grievances by August 31 and take necessary action to ensure that the farmers get their rights without any hurdles,” said Pradhan.