PMFBY scheme discontinued in Gujarat since two years
PMFBY scheme |
Although the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) was implemented to benefit farmers affected by natural disasters, the government has admitted in the state assembly that this scheme has been discontinued after two years of its initiation.
The government added that despite issuing tenders for this scheme in the 2020–21 to 2022–23 tenure, no private insurance companies took it forward as the premium rates were extremely high, and eventually the programme failed.
Moreover, no arrangements have been made to provide insurance for farmers during the Rabi (October–March) and Kharif (July–October) seasons.
The government clarified that for any losses incurred in natural disasters, farmers are provided relief funds from the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF).
Gujarat has faced a few severe cyclones in the past few years, namely Tauktae and Biparjoy. These cyclones caused major damage in the state’s coastal regions, as well as farmlands in areas as far as Banaskantha.
Due to this, the local farmers incurred heavy property and monetary damages.
Recently, the government’s spokesperson minister, Rushikesh Patel, praised this scheme, which has been discontinued in the state for the past two years, on his social media accounts.
Patel wrote, “Before 2014 if the farmer’s crops were damaged due to weather adversities, they had to suffer in silence. Now, under the Fasal Bima Yojana, financial assistance is provided to the farmers suffering from damages.”
He faced heavy flak on his socials, with a user slamming the minister: “If the Fasal Bima Yojana has been discontinued since 2020–21 in Gujarat, which ‘insurance scheme’ are you talking about?”
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