Maha seeks extension of deadline to apply for crop insurance

The Maharashtra government has sought extension of the deadline for subscribing to the crop insurance scheme, and will approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it is not extended by today evening, the Legislative Council was told here.
Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde (NCP) tabled an adjournment motion on the issue, saying if the deadline ended today, over one crore farmers will be deprived of crop insurance.
"There has been less rainfall in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions this year. Farmers are in dire need of crop insurance. The government should extend the deadline by at least 15 days," Munde said.

Due to the system of online submission of forms, a large number of farmers are standing in queues (at the centres offering this service) to apply for the scheme, Munde said.
"Not more than a few hundred forms are being filled every day at a single centre. How will needy farmers avail of the insurance scheme at this rate," he asked.
Some other legislators made the same demand.

Agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar told the House that he had spoken to his counterpart in the Centre, Radha Mohan Singh, and requested extension of the deadline by a fortnight. "He said he will take a positive decision soon," Fundkar said.

"If a decision is not taken by evening, the chief minister and I will meet the PM and request him to intervene," he added.
As the scheme is being implemented as per the Centre's guidelines, the state can't take any decision itself, he said.
Some nationalised banks were not cooperating in the implementation of the crop insurance scheme and inquiry will be initiated in this regard, the minister said.