Lok Sabha Question No. 546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-06
Subject: Deduction of Premium Amount under PMFBY
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 546

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2018

## DEDUCTION OF PREMIUM AMOUNT UNDER PMFBY

## 546.   SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether loanee farmers from many States have protested the forceful deduction of the premium amount by banks under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana;
- (b) if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  large-scale  mass  awareness  programme  to  inform farmers about the crop insurance scheme, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, whether the Government proposes to launch an awareness programme to inform farmers about the scheme and the benefits thereunder?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंालय म राय मंी (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) & (b): As per provisions  of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)  the scheme is compulsory  for  loanee  farmers  availing  Kisan  Credit  Card/Seasonal  Operational  Loans  for notified  crops  in  notified  areas  and  voluntary  for  non-  loanee  farmers.    Few  references  have been  received  by  this  Department  against  the  compulsory  coverage  of  loanee  farmers. However, to meet the objectives of the Scheme i.e. providing financial support to the farmers and  help  in  stabilizing  farm  income,  element  of  compulsory  coverage  of  loanee  farmers  is introduced so that the insured farmer gets the claim in the event of shortfall in the yield due to the  insured  perils  which  would  off  set  the  loan  to  the  extent  of  the  claims  and  he  would  be eligible to obtain fresh loan for the next season.   In the event of the crop not insured, the loan remains outstanding in  the  books of  Account  of  the  Bank  and  farmers  would  be  deprived  of fresh  loan/  insurance  which  they  would  have  otherwise  got.  It  also  encourages  the  financial institutions  to  increase  the  credit  flow  for  crop  production  purposes  to  the  farmers  as  the insurance  provides  collateral  security.  It  also  ensures  the  adequate  coverage/  participation under the scheme and to make it viable.

(c) & (d): To  enhance  the  awareness  among  farmers  to  increase  their  coverage  under PMFBY  among  all the stakeholders including farmers, Government is undertaking a comprehensive publicity and awareness programme to educate the farmers about the benefits of crop insurance schemes.  Capacity building and training programmes for other stakeholders are also being organized.   The   salient   activities   under   awareness   campaign  involve  the

publicity of features & benefits of the scheme through advertisements in leading National/local News Papers, telecast through audio-visual media, distribution of pamphlets in local languages, participation  in  agriculture  fairs  /  mela  /  goshti  and  organization  of  workshops  /  trainings  and SMS through Kisan Portal etc. State Governments/UTs are also being regularly persuaded to increase the coverage including notifying more crops under crop Insurance schemes.   One day seminar/kisan fair especially on the PMFBY has also been organized at various Krishi Vigyan Kendras  (KVKs).    In  addition,  several  communications  have  also  been  sent  to  the  public representatives including Members of Parliament, representatives of Panchayti Raj Institutions etc.

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