Question : COMPENSATION FOR COTTON AND GROUNDNUT CROPS

(a) whether the Government is aware that cotton and groundnut crop was damaged in various districts of Gujarat during the kharif season of 2012-2013 ;

(b) if so, whether insurance claim was paid to the farmers as compensation for the damaged crops;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the amount of insurance premium collected per hectare in respect of cotton and groundnut crops under the National Crop Insurance Scheme; and

(e) the various steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure that the insurance claims of farmers are paid in time?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b) & (c): Total claims amounting to Rs. 303.69 crore and Rs. 1854.75 crore have been paid to the farmers as against premium of Rs. 77.65 crore and Rs. 139.76 crore for cotton and groundnut crops, respectively, during Kharif 2012-13 season under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, in Gujarat.

(d): The premium per hectare was Rs. 12,102/- and Rs.5,775/- for groundnut and cotton crops respectively.

(e): The claims are processed and approved by the insurance companies after receipt of yield data/weather data from State Government within stipulated cut-off date. Under Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) component of newly restructured scheme of National Crop Insurance Programme (NCIP), 25% of likely claims are paid in advance as immediate relief in the areas which suffer at least 50% crop yield loss. Under Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), another component of NCIP, settlement of claims is made within 45 days from the closure of risk period.