Centre Gets Tough on Crop Insurance Irregularities; Strict Action Against Those Depriving Farmers of Their Due

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has taken a strong stance against irregularities reported in crop insurance claims. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Delhi, the Minister thoroughly examined complaints related to the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). During the meeting, he interacted virtually with farmers from Maharashtra to hear their grievances firsthand.

Farmers Will Not Be Cheated, Says Shivraj Singh:

Expressing deep concern, Shri Chouhan stated, “Giving farmers insurance claims of ₹1, ₹3, ₹5, or ₹21 is a mockery of their hardship. The government will not tolerate such injustice under any circumstances.” He issued strict warnings to insurance companies and officials, directing them to ensure timely, transparent, and fair disbursement of claims in the interest of farmers.

Immediate Action on Farmers’ Complaints from Sehore and Maharashtra:

The Minister highlighted specific cases from Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh and Akola district in Maharashtra, where farmers were reportedly given only ₹1 as compensation despite recorded losses. “How can such absurd loss assessment methods be justified?” he questioned.
He connected virtually with the Sehore District Collector during the meeting and asserted firmly, “Crop insurance is not a joke. Negligence of this kind will not be tolerated.”

Strict Directives to Insurance Companies and Officials:

During the meeting, Shri Chouhan issued clear instructions:

1. All insurance claims must be released simultaneously and on time.
2. Loss assessments must be conducted through scientific and accurate methods.
3. The reliability of remote sensing–based assessments must be re-evaluated.
4. All cases involving nominal claims such as ₹1 or ₹5 should undergo on-ground verification to determine the true situation.

States’ Delays Under Scrutiny:

The Agriculture Minister also expressed displeasure over delays by certain state governments in releasing their share of premium subsidies, which in turn delay farmers’ payments. “The negligence of states should not tarnish the image of the Central Government,” he warned.
He directed that states delaying subsidy payments be charged 12% interest, calling it a strong measure to safeguard farmers’ interests.

PMFBY – A Shield for Farmers, Says Chouhan:

Highlighting the importance of the scheme, Shri Chouhan said the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a crucial safety net to protect farmers from natural calamities. “Some discrepancies have damaged the scheme’s credibility, but restoring its integrity is now our responsibility,” he added.

Read More- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana 2025 – How to Apply?