Amravati (Maharashtra): An Insurance company has paid Rs 4.35 as the policy coverage amount to a farmer who has taken crop insurance in Maharashtra's Amravati following the uncertainty over his harvest.
The incident has been reported from Ridhpur village in Morshi taluka of Amravati where 70-year-old Sahebrao Dhale owns a five-acre farm and took an insurance policy of Rs 900 for his two crops including soybean and cotton last year.
In a hope of getting some financial relief from the insurance company after losing his crop, Sahebrao claimed the insurance. He has accused the company of cheating.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was launched to provide financial assistance to farmers' crops during the times of crisis.
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In 2019, unseasonal rains, crop worms and rodents caused severe damage to the farmers' harvest in Ridhpur village where insurance company have announced cover amount ranging from Rs 4 to Rs 12.
Criticising the state government, former Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Anil Bonde said that the insurance companies have ridiculed the farmers. He has also urged Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to look into the matter.
Reacting to the matter, District Agriculture Officer Vijay Chawhale said that even though insurance is so low, no farmer is insured for less than Rs 1,000.
"Although the insurance is declared at the expense of the loss, the rest of the money is paid by the government. Therefore, this confusion has arisen due to misunderstanding and the farmers will get minimum insurance of Rs. 1000," Chawhale said.
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