Punjab should implement crop insurance scheme: Agri minister

Punjab should seriously consider implementing the crop insurance scheme for farmers as it has neither sent a memorandum to central government for drought relief nor done crop insurance in the last five years, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan told the Rajya Sabha today.
"I have seen the record of last five years. Punjab and its farmers do not do crop insurance there. During drought in the state, no memorandum comes from there to the central government.
"Punjab government should seriously consider implementing the crop insurance scheme there. They have not done so. While various memoranda come from different states on drought and NDRF relief is sent there, no such memorandum comes from Punjab," he said while replying to questions.

The Minister said now there is no capping on the crop insurance scheme and all compensation is paid to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY).
It is also applicable on loans taken by farmers from financial institutions including cooperative banks for crops and areas notified under the scheme.
Singh also said that for the relief of farmers hit by demonetisation, the government has taken a number of measures to mitifgate their suffering and reduce the effect of noteban on them.
In reply to another question, the Minister said in Tamil Nadu, which has suffered drought, a high level committee has sanctioned an amount of Rs 1,700 crore for the state.