Over 10,000 farm families supported under Rythu Bima

Hyderabad: As many as 10,012 families of farmers received supporter under the Rythu Bima, the Group Life Insurance scheme being implemented by Telangana Government.

Rythu Bima was launched with the objective of providing financial relief and security to the family members/dependents of the deceased farmer in case of his/her death. In Telangana, majority of the farmers are small and marginal and farming is the sole source of livelihood to them. In the event of the death of the farmer/ bread winner, their families face severe financial problems even for their day-to-day needs. The Rythu Bima scheme ensures financial security and relief to the bereaved members of the farmer's family.

From the inception of policy i.e. 14th August 2018, 29.58 Lakh Pattadars/farmers in the age group of 18–59 years are enrolled under the Scheme. The total premium of Rs.672 Crores @Rs.2271.50/- per farmer is paid by the Government to LIC. In the event of death of the enrolled due to any cause the sum assured of Rs.5.00 lakhs is being paid, to the nominee of the enrolled farmer, declared by him/her at the time of enrolment within 10 days of death of the enrolled farmer.

The success of the scheme implementation is reflected in terms of timely settlement of claims to the designated nominee/ Appointee of deceased enrolled farmer within 10 days of his/ her death as envisaged under the scheme. The claims shall be submitted by the Agriculture Staff only online in the Rythu Bima portal and the LIC scrutinizes the claim and the amount is transferred electronically into nominees account. The nominee is not required to submit neither any representation nor approach any office for the insured amount. State Government has given instructions to the competent authority i.e Panchayat Secretary in villages and municipal commissioners in towns and urban areas for issue of death certificate within 48 hours of the death since death certificate is the crucial document for submission of the claim on behalf of the nominee.

The scheme has extended support to 10,012 farm families across the state by proving the insured amount of Rs.500.60 Crores @ Rs.5.00 Lakhs to the designated nominee by the farmer . It is reported from the field level that the insured amount of Rs. 5 Lakhs given is of immense help to the family members of the deceased farmers especially in case of the death of the breadwinner and helped his/her children in pursuing their education, taking up livelihood generation activity like kirana store /dairy etc., An analysis of data reveals that more than 90% of the farmers owned less than 5 acres of land.

It is pertinent here to mention that on observation of the statement of Accounts of some of the nominees, prior to the deposit of Rs. 5 lakhs insured amount meager balances were present in the Nominee's account reflecting the weak economic status of the family. The assistance of Rs. 5 Lakhs was of tremendous help to the bereaved family. The officers are also advising and counseling the nominees to utilize or invest the amount judiciously so as to have a regular source of income for their future livelihood. Some of the eligible farmers, who did not respond to enrollment, in spite of repeated requests from the Department, observing the quick settlement of claims and amount being deposited in the nominee accounts within a week's time, are voluntarily coming and enrolling themselves under the scheme. About 3 lakh farmers have enrolled after the inception of the scheme.

Of 10,012 claims settled, as many 5105 (51%) farmers belonged to BC community; 1796 (18%) were SCs, 1397 (14%) were STs; 82 (1%) belonged to the minorities while 1632 (16%) were from other communities/castes.