Sambalpur: The relay strike by farmer bodies demanding settlement of their claims under Pradhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojana completed four weeks in Sambalpur. However, their demand has not yet been redressed. Farmers alleged that the state government had no control over the insurance companies,
A total of 48 farmers’ outfits have joined the relay stir called by Pashicma Odisha Krushak Sangatahn and Zilla Kurhan Sangathan. Local and frontline leaders of all political parties like BJD, BJP and Congress have supported the cause.
Despite such support, farmers are yet to get assurance from the insurance companies or the government to get their claims settled.
Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari, Sambalpur MP Nitish Gangdev, MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, Rengali MLA Nauri Nayak had joined the stir and came down heavily on the state government for apathy towards the farmers’ cause.
They observed that insurance firms get good amount of money from farmers towards premium, but at the time of the exigency of farmers, the latter are left to fend for themselves.
BJD’s Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari, Kuchinda MLA Kishore Chandra Nayak supported the farmers. They lamented that payment of insurance claims of the farmers is being delayed. The BJD MLAs assured the farmers that the Central government should pressure insurance companies to clear the dues of farmers. They said they will raise the issue in the Assembly so that steps will be taken to redress the issue.
The two BJP MPs also assured that they would raise the issue in the Parliament.
“Various quarters sought to know how far the assurances of political leaders will be fruitful while farmers are still keeping their fingers crossed over insurance claims. Leaders are bound by their party lines. Individual views of leaders do not count much in such case,” said farmer leader Ashok Pradhan.
Pradhan said policies for insurance companies are made by the Centre while the state is to observe it. “Why BJP MPs are not pressuring the Central government in such cases,” he asked.
Kharif paddy was damaged in the district in 2018. The revenue, statistics departments and insurance farms had assessed the crop loss in Kuchinda, Jamankira and Bamra blocks. 12,000 farmers had to face crop loss. Rs 160 crore was then announced for compensation.