JAIPUR: In a major relief for farmers affected by unseasonal weather during the Rabi season, the state govt has directed insurance companies to expedite post-harvest loss surveys and ensure timely settlement of crop insurance claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).Farmers, though, are complaining that they are yet to receive anything after the incessant rainfall and hailstorm damaged their crops.Agriculture commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal said the govt is treating the issue with utmost seriousness, stressing that farmers’ interests remain paramount. He warned that any negligence in claim settlement will not be tolerated. “The state govt is committed to ensuring that farmers receive compensation for crop losses caused by unseasonal rain, hailstorms, cyclones and other natural calamities without delay,” Goyal said.Authorities added that strict instructions have been issued to empanelled insurance companies, including Agriculture Insurance Company of India, ICICI Lombard General Insurance and HDFC ERGO General Insurance, to complete surveys of post-harvest loss intimations within the stipulated time. The commissioner made it clear that “rejecting farmers’ claims arbitrarily or without valid justification is unacceptable”.Insurance firms have been directed to submit detailed reports, including reasons for rejection, to district-level Joint Directors of Agriculture (Extension). In cases where claims have been wrongly rejected against scheme provisions, the responsibility of conducting surveys will lie with the concerned insurance company.He also directed that all surveys must be conducted through the CLAP (Crop Loss Assessment Portal) app, and even offline surveys must be uploaded on the platform without fail to maintain transparency and accountability. “If surveys are not conducted on time, the entire responsibility of claim settlement will rest with the insurance companies,” he added.In Sikar, farmer Ramesh Kumar said, “We submitted our claim weeks ago after hailstorm damaged our harvested crop. So far, there has been no survey. If the process speeds up, it will be a big relief for us.”Another farmer from Ajmer, Mohan Lal, echoed similar concerns. “We depend on insurance in such situations. The loss has already hit our income. If the claim is delayed, managing household and next season’s farming becomes very difficult,” he said.Sunil Yadav, a farmer from Sikar, pointed to past experiences. “Sometimes claims are rejected without proper reason. We hope this time authorities ensure fairness and transparency,” he added.Another farmer from Ajmer, Mohan Lal, echoed similar concerns. “We depend on insurance in such situations. The loss has already hit our income. If the claim is delayed, managing household and next season’s farming becomes very difficult,” he said.Sunil Yadav, a farmer from Sikar, pointed to past experiences. “Sometimes claims are rejected without proper reason. We hope this time authorities ensure fairness and transparency,” he added.
