Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao on Tuesday announced that the government would be introducing 'Geetha Karmikula Bima,' an insurance scheme for toddy tappers on the lines of Rythu Bima scheme for the farmers .
Under the new scheme, the kin would receive Rs. 5 lakh in the event of death of a toddy tapper for any reason. The sum would be directly deposited into the bank accounts of the family members. The CM instructed ministers T. Harish Rao and V. Srinivas Goud to formulate guidelines for the scheme and Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari to initiate immediate steps.
Concerned that there were many incidents of toddy tappers accidentally falling from the trees, the CM stated that it was the government's responsibility to support the families. The CM stated that the government was providing ex gratia to the victims’ families, but there was a significant delay. Under Rythu Bima, the sum would be given to the family in a week.
