The insurance due for the 2016 Kharif season is yet to be paid to thousands of farmers of Nuapada district owing to non-availability of eligible farmers’ lists in banks. Funds have been allotted to most of the banks, but the eligible farmers’ lists are yet to be sent to the respective banks by the insurance companies.
A total of 570 farmers in the service area of Karlakot branch of the SBI in Boden block are eligible to get insurance. An amount of Rs 37 lakh has been allotted by the insurance company to this branch more than two months ago, but as the eligible list of farmers have not been provided, the amount has not been distributed.
SBI Branch Manager A Kumbhar expressed his helplessness and said, “I have informed about this to the higher authorities several times.” The lead Bank Manager (lBM), when contacted, said that the Bhubaneswar branch of the insurance company has been informed and the latter assured that it would be sent very soon.
It is learnt that other SBI branches like the main branch of Nuapada and the Sinapali branch have also not received the eligible farmers’ lists.
“Farmers have faced another drought in the current Kharif season. So, they hope that the insurance dues would bring a succor, but these companies are playing with the farmers,” said Sashibhusan Behera of Domjhar village, who along with other farmers have drawn attention of the district administration to the issue.
Nuapada Collector Poma Tudu, who heard the grievance in her weekly grievance session at Khariar on Monday, said she would inquire about the matter. However, the farmers being skeptical of the assurance, say, “These officers, like politicians, have started giving assurances. They forget their promises after the grievance session is over.”