Maha: Munde pushes for extension of crop damage reporting deadline to insurance companies

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Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde on Friday said that he will make a demand to the central government to change the rule to inform the insurance company about the loss within 72 hours in case of damage to the farmers' crops.

On the last day of the state's monsoon session, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde informed the state assembly that he will urge the central government to increase the deadline for reporting crop damage to the insurance company from 72 hours to 96 hours.

The announcement came after members from of both the Houses demanded an extension of a few more hours in this period.

"Often during a crisis like heavy rains, the farmers have to face many problems like power outage, mobile and internet issues. Due to this, many farmers are unable to report the damage within 72 hours. We will follow up with the central government to increase the deadline for reporting crop damage to the insurance company from 72 hours to 96 hours," Munde said.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve raised the question about some farmers not getting insurance for the Kharif season 2022.

Replying to Danve's question, Dhananjay Munde said crop insurance of Rs 3,180 crore has been sanctioned to the insured farmers during the said season out of which about Rs 3,148 crore have been distributed. "Farmers will now get at least one thousand rupees crop insurance, if the insurance company's amount is less, the remaining amount will be paid by the state government," he said.

Dhananjay Munde also announced that if the amount received by the farmers under insurance is less than Rs 1000, the remaining amount will be paid by the state government and the farmers will get at least Rs 1000 as crop insurance.

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While replying to the question raised by the former state minister MLA Satej Patil, about relaxing the conditions to avail benefits under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), the state Agriculture Minister said that to avail the benefit PMKSY, there is a minimum requirement of 20 guntas of land for farmers. "This condition should be relaxed from 20 to 10 guntas and the matter will be followed up with the Union Ministry of Agriculture," he said.