Odisha farmers protest delay in disbursal of crop insurance claims, subsidies

Hundreds of farmers drawn from various parts of Attabira and Bheden blocks of Bargarh district staged a demonstration and a sit-in outside the collectorate on Monday, clamouring for immediate disbursal of insurance claims and input subsidies.

They decried an inordinate delay in releasing insurance claims and input subsidies to the affected farmers. 
As per reports, crops in vast tracts of farmlands in Bheden and Attabira blocks were affected by hailstorms and pest attacks in the last Rabi season. 

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Following allegations from the affected farmers, the administration had conducted a survey to assess the crop loss, it was said.

“In the Rabi season 2023, there was large-scale damage to crops due to pest attacks and hailstorms. The damage assessment has been done. Insurance claims have not been cleared as yet. Input subsidies have been paid, but in negligible amounts,” said farmer leader, Ramesh Mohapatra.

The agitating farmers warned to intensify their agitation if their insurance claims are not disposed of in the next 15 days.
Mohapatra warned, “If farmers are not paid their insurance claims in 15 days, we will shut the tehsil office and all the government offices in Bheden block.”

No comments have been received from the concerned officials.

Report by Dharmadatta