After the massive success of GRAM in 2016, it’s time to deliver sweet fruits of labour to Rajasthan farmers. Raje government intended to associate 25 lakh Rajasthan farmers under Raj Sahakar Vyaktigat Durghtna Bima Yojana for the coming fiscal year. The scheme was launched in June, aiming to protect 25 lakh farmers against accidental injuries. It’s a matter of pride for Rajasthan government today, as 18 lakh farmers working in the state have already been associated with the new insurance scheme. Rajasthan government is close to achieving the target set for this year.
How will Raj Sahakar Vyaktigat Durghtna Bima Yojana protect Farmers?
Under RSVDBY, Rajasthan government will provide Rs. 5 lakh accidental insurance to agriculturists at lowest premium rates of Rs. 27 per year. With this, “Rajasthan has emerged as the first Indian to provide a big insurance cover at low premium”, a fact reported by Aja Singh, state minister for co-operative department.
The benefits of this scheme have been extended to farmers that have applied for crop loans through cooperative banks. While farmers will pay Rs. 27 per year, co-operative banks will contribute their share to cover all the benefits. Both Rajasthan State Co-operative bank and Central Co-operative banks will contribute Rs. 13.50 each as premium amount.
Earlier, insurance cover of Rs. 3 lakh was given to farmers, but this has been upped to Rs. 5 lakh to inspire more farmers to join this beneficial policy. Resultantly, approximately 18 lakh farmers have already joined this scheme.
The cooperative department will also be providing this facility to account holders of other cooperative banks by charging a nominal fee (Rs. 54) as yearly premiums. Compared to other states like Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat. Telangana and Punjab, Rajasthan has made an appreciable attempt at providing high insurance cover at low premiums.
According to the assessment of state cooperative department, other Indian states provide the following facilities:
- Punjab: Rs. 5 lakh at premium amount of Rs. 110,
- Gujarat: Rs. 4 lakh at premium amount of Rs. 44,
- Madhya Pradesh: Rs. 2 lakh,
- Telangana: Rs. 1 lakh,
- Haryana: Rs. 50,000.
Hopefully, Rajasthan government’s attempt will make state farmers aware and vigilant about insurance procedures. This is a strategic attempt by authorities to safeguard farmers in the long run.
