Chennai: In a major relief to the farmers, insurance firms have agreed to disburse the claim compensation of the ryots affected by crop loss due to drought during 2016 — 17 fiscal to the tune of Rs 1,282.05 crore, thanks to the efforts of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Measures are underway to transfer the sum directly into the bank accounts of the agriculturists.
Following the consistent efforts of the state government and sustained pressure on the Centre, the insurance companies have agreed to settle the farmers' claims. Accordingly, about 4.11 lakh farmers of 25 districts have been provided Rs 1,282.05 crore upto July 3 and measures are on to deposit the sum into their bank accounts.
It may be recalled that the CM had launched the distribution of the relief to farmers on April 2017 and till June 21 about Rs 1,066.12 crore has been disbursed to 3.22 lakh farmers. This has been possible owing to the sustained efforts of Mr Edappadi K. Palaniswami who had petitioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the delay in the disbursal of compensation claims of farmers under the Centre's new crop insurance scheme — Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana under which 15.37 lakh farmers in TN insured their crops raised in about 31.85 lakh acres. TN emerged as a leading state in enrolling farmers under this scheme.
CM has directed the officials to expedite the process to settle the claims for remaining paddy growers and as well as the agriculturalists who suffered loss of other crop.
