BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to launch a massive awareness campaign for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme).
A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting presided by Chief Secretary AP Padhi. The Chief Secretary directed the Agriculture Department to complete insurance registration work within the time schedule and launch awareness campaign at village and panchayat levels.
Farmers can come under insurance cover by depositing premium by July 31, 2016. The Chief Minister asked the Agriculture and Cooperation Departments to launch awareness campaign among farmers jointly with the insurance companies. He also asked the officials to involve the agriculture centres, panchayat representatives, farmers’ associations and media in the campaign.
Official sources said all 11 insurance companies listed by Union Agriculture Ministry participated in the tender process of which three companies - Tata AIG, Future Generali and SBI General Insurance Company Limited were selected.
The State has been divided into six clusters comprising five districts each for registration of crop insurance. Paddy, groundnut, cotton, tamarind and ginger would be covered by crop insurance in next Kharif season.
Crop damage due to fire, electricity, cyclone, flood, drought, landslide, hailstorm and pest attack will be covered under the insurance scheme. Farmers will also get compensation for crop damage due to unseasonal rains or cyclone within 14 days of harvesting.