Jagan seeks action on unpaid crop insurance premiums and farmer support schemes
11 Aug 2024 10:55 PM IST
YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Photo: X)
Vijayawada: YSR Congress president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded that the state government release the funds promised under investment support, including the Rythu Bharosa, and pay the premiums to ensure that the insurance payouts for 2023-24 are released to farmers without further delay.
The former chief minister, in a social media post, asserted that the welfare of the farmers is crucial to the welfare of the state.
He said, “It has been revealed that the free crop insurance premium for the 2023-24 Kharif season has not been paid, creating significant risks for farmers who rely on this crucial support. The delay has led to fears that the free crop insurance payouts, which provide vital financial assistance to farmers during times of crop loss, may not be disbursed in a timely manner.”
Jagan Reddy noted that under the previous YSRC rule, his government ensured that the premium for the Kharif season's free crop insurance was paid in April-May each year. This proactive approach allowed timely payment of compensation to farmers by June, so that they could recover and prepare for the next season without any financial burden.
He said, “The government bore the full cost of the premium, relieving farmers of any financial strain during the crucial sowing period. Once the state government paid the premium, the central government promptly released its share. The insurance companies disbursed compensation to farmers who incurred crop losses mostly in 30 days and this enabled the previous administration to support 54.55 lakh farmers by disbursing an unprecedented `7,802 crore.”
Jagan Reddy said the premium payments for the 2023-24 Kharif season were put on hold due to the election code of conduct.
“While it was expected that the new government would promptly address this issue, no action has been taken in the last two months. The state government is yet to pay the premium, leading the central government to withhold its share as well. As of mid-August, with June and July already behind us, there has been no movement in this direction from the current administration.”
This, he said, raised serious concerns among farmers and agricultural stakeholders. The farmers are waiting for the promised `20,000 annual investment support under the Rythu Bharosa scheme as the Kharif season draws to a close. “Despite their hopes, no announcement has been made, forcing farmers to seek financial aid from banks and moneylenders, a burden that could have been avoided.”
Jagan Reddy noted that under the previous YSRC rule, his government ensured that the premium for the Kharif season's free crop insurance was paid in April-May each year. This proactive approach allowed timely payment of compensation to farmers by June, so that they could recover and prepare for the next season without any financial burden.
He said, “The government bore the full cost of the premium, relieving farmers of any financial strain during the crucial sowing period. Once the state government paid the premium, the central government promptly released its share. The insurance companies disbursed compensation to farmers who incurred crop losses mostly in 30 days and this enabled the previous administration to support 54.55 lakh farmers by disbursing an unprecedented `7,802 crore.”
Jagan Reddy said the premium payments for the 2023-24 Kharif season were put on hold due to the election code of conduct.
“While it was expected that the new government would promptly address this issue, no action has been taken in the last two months. The state government is yet to pay the premium, leading the central government to withhold its share as well. As of mid-August, with June and July already behind us, there has been no movement in this direction from the current administration.”
This, he said, raised serious concerns among farmers and agricultural stakeholders. The farmers are waiting for the promised `20,000 annual investment support under the Rythu Bharosa scheme as the Kharif season draws to a close. “Despite their hopes, no announcement has been made, forcing farmers to seek financial aid from banks and moneylenders, a burden that could have been avoided.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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