Source: ET
Context:
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a probe into extremely low crop insurance payouts made to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). The directive follows multiple complaints about farmers receiving payouts as low as ₹1.
Key Highlights:
- The Agriculture Minister described such meagre settlements of ₹1, ₹3, ₹5, or ₹21 as “playing jokes with farmers”.
- The review meeting focused on implementation gaps, complaint redressal, and insurer accountability.
- The Ministry has ordered officials to investigate the causes behind the low payouts, which may include assessment errors, data entry lapses, or insurer negligence.
About PMFBY:
- Launched: 2016
- Objective: To provide financial support to farmers in the event of crop failure due to natural calamities, pests, or diseases.
- Implementation: Jointly by the Centre, State Governments, and empanelled insurance companies.
- Premium: Farmers pay a small share of the premium, while the rest is subsidised by the government.
