Bargarh: Farmers launched a mass fast at the Gandhi Square here Tuesday over the alleged delay by insurance firms in settling their claims under the Centre-sponsored Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) over the 2017-crop loss.
The farmers organised under the banner of Jay Kishan Andolan launched their mass fast under the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the square protesting the inordinate delay by insurance firms in settling their claims and the helplessness of the administration in resolving the issue. They warned that they will not budge till their demands are met.
Sources said the farmers of this district suffered a lot following crop loss due to drought and pest attacks in 2017.
The state Agriculture, Revenue and Statistics Departments jointly conducted a survey and prepared a final crop cutting report by February 2 for early release of compensation to farmers.
As per rules, farmers are eligible to receive their claim within two months of preparation of the crop cutting report. However, since then four months have passed but farmers have not received their insurance claims when they are in dire need of money for survival.
The delay has been caused as insurance firms have termed the total claim amount of Rs 734 crore as flawed despite being prepared on the basis of the crop cutting report and dilly-dallying in releasing the claims.
Farmers from Padmapur, Lakhmara, Palsada, Rajbodasambar participated in the agitation. Lingaraj, convener of Paschim Odisha Krushak Sangathan , Ramesh Mohapatra, leader of Jay Kishan movement Hara Bania, Utpan Bhoi and Siba Prasad Pradhan also joined the protest.
PNN
