Hyderabad: Under the Rythu Bhima scheme introduced to help families of poor farmers, Rs 500.60 crore has been given to 10,012 families.
Among the beneficiaries, half belong to the backward classes communities, principal secretary, agriculture, C. Pardhasaradhi said. The insured amount of Rs 5 lakh given was of immense help to family members of the deceased farmers and helped his or her children in pursuing their education, taking up a livelihood generation activity like a kirana store, dairy and others.
Mr Pardhasaradhi said that some eligible farmers who did not respond to enrolment in spite of repeated requests from the department, observed the quick settlement of claims and amount being deposited in the nominee accounts within a week. They are now coming and enrolling themselves.
A total of 29.58 lakh farmers in the age group of 18–59 were enrolled under the scheme and a total premium of Rs 672 crores at the rate of Rs 2,271.50 per farmer was paid by the government to LIC. In the event of the death of the enrolled person, Rs 5 lakh is paid to nominee.
Mr Pardhasaradhi said more than 90 pr cent of the farmers owned less than 5 acres. Among the beneficiaries, 5,105 were BCs, 82 minorities, 1,796 SCs, 1,397 STs and 1,632 are others.
