Shivraj Singh listens to the grievances of Maharashtra farmers via virtual connection during the meeting

Shivraj Singh Chouhan today held a high-level meeting in Delhi to address issues faced by farmers regarding the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and complaints related to claim payments. During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh connected virtually with some farmers from Maharashtra and listened to their concerns directly, demanding answers from officials. He clearly stated that farmers will not be troubled under any circumstances.

“Receiving claims of Rs. 1, Rs. 3, Rs. 5, or Rs. 21 is a mockery of farmers, and the government will not allow this to continue,” he said. Shri Chouhan ordered a thorough investigation into it, gave strict instructions to insurance companies and officials in favor of farmers, and emphasised that claims must be paid quickly and simultaneously. The damage assessment must be done through an accurate system, and he instructed officials to make necessary amendments to the scheme provisions to remove inconsistencies.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan was deeply concerned about complaints received from farmers in his parliamentary constituency of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh, especially about very nominal claim amounts being received by farmers in Maharashtra. After arriving in Delhi by flight on Monday morning, he went straight to the Union Ministry of Agriculture at Krishi Bhawan and immediately convened a meeting with all senior officials involved in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, along with top executives from all insurance companies. He emphasised that the scheme, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is a boon for the country’s farmers to protect their crops from natural disasters. However, some issues have tarnished the reputation of this important scheme and turned it into a subject of ridicule as well as propaganda.

Using examples, including of some Sehore district farmers by name, Shri Shivraj Singh pointed out that despite having crop insurance, zero loss was shown, yet the claim paid was Rs. 1. Another farmer’s loss was recorded as 0.004806 percent, yet the claim also was Rs. 1. The Union Minister raised the question on behalf of farmers: “what kind of method is this for measuring damage?”

Similarly, yet another farmer’s loss and claim were the same. Presenting these issues to officials, Shri Shivraj Singh asked if this was not injustice to farmers. In a strict tone, he declared he would probe deeply and insisted that crop insurance is no joke and he will not allow such mockery to continue. He ordered the Sehore District Collector to join the meeting virtually and provide full information, and questioned Delhi officials and company representatives.

Following the Union Minister’s instructions, the meeting also had the Agriculture Commissioner of Maharashtra and other senior state officials connected virtually.

Farmers from Akola district in Maharashtra, who had complaints about receiving Rs. 5 or Rs. 21 claims, were also connected online, and detailed inquiries were made with them.

Shri Shivraj Singh asked how and why farmers received such minimal claim payments.

Officials responded that farmers submitted separate applications for different fields and crops, and initial claim amounts were paid early, and remaining amounts adjusted post-survey, hence the minimal final amounts. The Union Minister called this a discrepancy that must be eliminated to avoid confusion among farmers during claim payments, prevent unwarranted criticism of the government, and stop the scheme from becoming a joke.

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan ordered the CEO of the Pradhan Manti Fasal Bima Yojana to conduct thorough on-field investigations into such cases where claims are around Rs. 1, 2, or 5 and to also talk to local collectors and insured farmers to ascertain the reality. Furthermore, he directed a scientific examination of the authenticity of the remote sensing-based damage assessment and instructed for review of guidelines that allow insurance for very low amounts, revising them as necessary. He emphasised that claim payments should not be delayed. He also instructed insurance companies to ensure their representatives are present during the damage survey so that no irregularities occur and farmers receive their rightful claims.

Addressing the issue of some states delaying or not paying their share of subsidies for months, Shri Shivraj Singh directed officials to coordinate with all states to ensure timely deposit of their shares so that affected farmers can receive claim payments promptly. States that delay should be charged 12 per cent interest, a significant provision made by the Centre for farmers’ benefit. He questioned why the Central Government should be defamed due to states’ negligence in subsidy payment. The Union Minister also solicited suggestions from the Sehore District Collector and senior agricultural officers and company representatives from Maharashtra to further improve the scheme.

Shri Shivraj Singh concluded by stressing the need to connect farmers with technology to ensure complete transparency, so that farmers’ brothers and sisters remain aware and no malpractices occur anywhere.