Question : CROP INSURANCE SCHEME

(a) whether it is a fact that Monsoon, 2012 was much below normal and farmers suffered heavy crop losses in Saurashtra, North and Central Gujarat region;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is also a fact that against Rs. 2828 crores of crop insurance claims in respect of groundnut, paddy, maize and bajra crops of about 5.95 lakh farmers of 45 Talukas of Gujarat Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) has made final settlement of claims by disbursing a sum of Rs. 1607 crore only; and

(d) if so, whether the Government proposes to reconsider the decision and settle the insurance claims of all farmers as per the provision of NAIS ?

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

(a) & (b): According to the data maintained by Indian Meteorological Department, Gujarat region had got 28% deficient rainfall during monsoon period of 2012. Saurashtra and Kutch region had got 34% deficient rainfall for the same period. During Kharif 2012 production of foodgrains was 35.88 lakh tonnes in 22.00 lakh hectares sown against production of 39 lakh tonnes in 27.79 lakh hectare area sown during Kharif 2011.

(c) & (d): The claims to eligible farmers have been paid on the basis of area sown data furnished by the State Government and after application of area correction/reduction factor as area insured in some areas was more than the area sown. Crop-wise details of claims paid and number of farmers benefitted during Kharif 2012 in Gujarat are given below:

 Crops	Claims Paid	No. of Farmers	(Rs. In lakhs)	benefitted Bajra	608.75	38172 Castor	52.99	53 Groundnut	185474.94	618504 Maize	36.40	4703 Paddy	2514.97	8375 Seasmum	0.59	3 Cotton	30368.69	180831 Total	219057.33	850641