Farmers to get Rs 397 cr as crop insurance claim

The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd (AICIL), the implementing agency of the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), has sanctioned Rs 397.23 crore towards crop insurance claim against crop loss in Kharif-2013.

As many as 373,126 farmers of 1,397 gram panchayats in 143 blocks under 21 districts of the state would be the beneficiaries. Among the districts, Ganjam has the highest share of claim to the tune of Rs 132.75 crore, said BN Praharaj, chief regional manager, AICIL, Bhubaneswar region.

While claims worth Rs 392.62 crore were sanctioned for paddy, Rs 4.61 crore was approved for maize and cotton crops.

Around 1.3 million farmers are covered under the scheme with the sum insured being Rs 3,370 crore against premium collection of Rs 85.57 crore. During Kharif 2013, Odisha was severely affected by the Phailin cyclonic storm followed by devastating floods

Out of the total claim, the state and Central governments have paid 154.94 crore each, while the AICIL has paid 87.45 crore. The state government's contribution of 154.94 crore was deposited with different banks on September 26.

Due to puja vacation, the contributions by the Central government and AICIL to the tune of Rs 242.39 crore was released on Tuesday, said Praharaj.

Besides, the central cooperative banks (CCBs), the Odisha Gramya Bank and Utkal Gramya Bank have received Rs 7.53 crore and Rs 31.88 crore respectively.

The nodal banks have been advised by AICIL to credit the claim amount to their respective loan disbursing offices within a week of receipt of claim and deposit the claims to the farmers' account within seven days of receipt of claims, sources said.