Dulloo directs enhanced farmer coverage, timely settlement of claims
Srinagar: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Wednesday chaired a review meeting of the State Level Coordination Committee on Crop Insurance (SLCCCI) to assess the implementation and progress of the Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY) and related crop insurance schemes across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting besides ACS, APD was attended by the MD, J&K Bank; Director, Agriculture, Kashmir/Jammu; Convenor, UTLBC and other concerned officers from the Department.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary underscored the importance of ensuring that all eligible farmers are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) as per the guidelines of the Government of India. He urged various stakeholders, including departments and banks, to collaborate closely to achieve universal coverage. The ongoing ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ was highlighted as a vital platform for raising awareness among farmers about the benefits of crop insurance, with a focus on motivating them to enroll in the scheme. To enhance coordination and tackle implementation challenges, the Chief Secretary recommended appointing district-wise nodal officers from the Agriculture Production Department. These officers would work in conjunction with banks, insurance companies, and district administrations to streamline the enrollment process and address any obstacles faced by farmers. The Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting farmers from crop losses due to natural disasters and emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to expand insurance coverage and improve the financial security of the farming community in Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department provided an overview of the scheme’s performance, noting that over 12.89 lakh farmers have been covered since its inception, with significant claims settled. The meeting also reviewed the status of claims for Kharif 2025 and localized calamity claims for Rabi 2025-26, indicating a proactive approach to processing and settling claims. The region has seen notable growth in farmer enrollment and area coverage under the crop insurance program compared to previous seasons. While progress has been made in covering Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders under PMFBY, there remains potential for further improvement in saturation levels. Discussions also included the implementation of the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), focusing on premium structures and operational guidelines. The Chief Secretary directed the Agriculture Production Department to prepare for timely implementation of crop insurance schemes in line with government guidelines, reiterating the commitment to enhance crop insurance coverage and resilience against production risks for farmers in Jammu and Kashmir.
