District Administration, Udhampur, launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) which will be implemented in the district in a phased manner for providing crop insurance to farmers against loss of crops due to notified calamities.Departments of Revenue, Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture and allied sectors will collaborate for 100% coverage of loanees of Small Agriculture Operations and Kissan Credit Card holders while stress will also be laid on non-loanees on voluntary basis. All farmers have been enrolled under PMJDY which will be a pre-requisite for PMFBY enrolment. For ease of banks and departments and to ensure hassle-free insurance, District administration will have a dedicated website as common IT platform for verification and sanctioning of cases.District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, launched the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in a conference of officers convened to implement the scheme on ground with greater participation of farmers.
He informed that “PMFBY Information Kiosks” will be established in DDC office, CAO, SDM Ramnagar/Dudu/Chenani/Basantgarh and Tehsil offices of Majalta, Moungri and Panchari. Revenue department has been entrusted with providing the details of land holding and tenancy for farmers intending to apply for the PMFBY.Dr Shahid stressed for seeking active involvement of legislators , Sarpanchs and Panchs in Information, Education and Communication of Scheme to ensure greater public awareness and participation. A calendar of more than 200 awareness camps has been formulated to be organised by Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Revenue, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Social Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry and Commercial Banks as well as Rural Banks.Farmers will have to pay a nominal premium of 1.5% for Kharif Crops, 2% for Rabi Crops and 5% for Cash crops. The farmers will be enrolled in District Database along with details of landholdings, 16-digit account number, Aadhar numbers, cropping patter, soil type and other requisites which will facilitate prompt assessment and will also help in relief in case of natural calamity damaging the crops.