Nashik: “The 5.8 lakh farmers in the district who participated in the crop insurance scheme launched by the state government at a cost of Re 1 are likely to receive a sum of Rs 853 crore by mid-July,” assured district guardian minister Dada Bhuse.

Bhuse was in Nashik to conduct a district planning committee meeting. During the meeting, committee members raised the issue of outstanding payments to farmers, which the insurance company, in consultation with the state government, had yet to settle.

Due to insufficient rains during the kharif season, farmers in Nashik district faced significant hardships. In September, the insurance company compensated Rs 79 crore to farmers from specific areas of the district where there were no rains for 21 consecutive days, activating the mid-term adversity clause. Following a meeting with District Collector Jalaj Sharma and subsequent follow-ups, the insurance company was instructed to settle the farmers’ claims after completing all necessary formalities.

“After conducting experiments, the agriculture department submitted a final report to the state and central governments detailing the farmers’ losses due to the adverse monsoon conditions. The insurance company is required to pay Rs 853 crore to the farmers, a payment they initially contested with the state government. However, their challenge has been overruled,” said Bhuse.