BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Sunday extended the timeline for reporting crop loss and crop area to insurance companies through Krishi Rakshak portal or by calling the toll free number 14447 till December 30 and requested farmers who are not covered under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to report their loss to assigned departments.
Making the announcement at a media briefing in Chhatrapur, the district headquarters of Ganjam, after his field verification of crop loss due to the recent unseasonal rains in three districts, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he has directed departments concerned and all district administrations to create awareness among farmers without insurance coverage to report their crop loss to the government.
The affected farmers can report their loss to field officers of the Agriculture, Cooperation, Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Revenue and Panchayati Raj departments. They can also report at their respective block and tehsil offices without delay, he said.
After taking a crop loss review at Lok Seva Bhavan on Saturday, the chief minister had directed insured farmers to report about their crop loss to the insurance companies by Sunday. As per the relief code, affected farmers have to report their crop loss to the authorities concerned within 72 hours. As the unseasonal rains lashed the state in three phases, it was not possible for them to do so, the chief minister said.
“I visited some worst-affected blocks of Nayagarh, Gajapati and Ganjam districts. I assure the farmers who have sustained massive crop loss that the state government is standing solidly behind them at this hour of their crisis. We will ensure that all the affected farmers get compensation irrespective of their coverage under the crop insurance schemes,” Majhi told mediapersons.
The chief minister who was accompanied by Revenue minister Suresh Pujari said the state government has also decided to move the Centre with a request to make adequate provision to extend benefits similar to PMBFY to crops not notified under the scheme.
“I have received complaints from Ganjam farmers about extensive damage to vegetable crops which are not covered under PMFBY. The sharecroppers have also brought their plight to my notice. The government will take a considered decision and find out ways how to compensate their loss. I request everyone to have faith in the government,” Majhi said.
He said two deputy chief ministers and ministers of Cooperation and Food Supplies are also touring other affected districts for on-spot assessment of crop loss. After they submit their reports, the government will take a decision how to compensate the loss, he added.
