Parameshwara warns insurance firms over poor compensation to farmers

Tumakuru : Karnataka Home and District In-charge Minister Dr G Parameshwara has issued a stern warning to insurance companies, stating that the government may advise farmers not to opt for crop insurance if they are denied fair compensation.

Chairing the quarterly KDP meeting at the  Zilla panchayat, the minister expressed concern over the way insurance firms are allegedly imposing conditions and offering reduced payouts despite collecting premiums from farmers. “If farmers do not receive rightful compensation, we may have to tell them not to take insurance in the future,” he cautioned.

He directed the district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, to convene a  meeting with insurance companies and push for relaxation of stringent conditions. He also asked officials to submit a detailed report to the state government for further action.

During the review, the minister noted that crop insurance enrolment was significantly low in Kunigal taluk compared to other parts of the district, with only 1,453 farmers opting for insurance. Questioning the reason, MLA H D Ranganath said farmers had lost trust in central government schemes, leading to poor participation.

Legislators at the meeting demanded greater awareness campaigns among farmers and called for revision and simplification of insurance norms. They also urged the state government to intervene and ensure that farmers are not exploited.

Raising serious concerns, MLAs pointed out that insurance companies collected nearly ₹7 crore in premiums in the district but paid only around ₹1.5 crore as compensation. “If companies survive on farmers’ money, such disparity is unacceptable,” they argued.

The meeting also discussed crop losses in the horticulture sector, particularly damage to mango crops. The minister instructed officials to conduct a detailed assessment and submit a report to the government.

On land disputes, it was noted that several government schools and buildings fall under deemed forest areas, leading to conflicts between the revenue and forest departments. The minister directed both departments to conduct a joint survey and resolve jurisdictional issues promptly.

Animal deaths in the district were another key concern, with discussions revealing that 4,584 livestock deaths had been reported. The minister instructed officials to ensure timely compensation to affected farmers. He also addressed reports of peacock deaths, suspected to be due to avian disease, stating that samples have been sent for laboratory testing and results are expected within a week.

Further, officials were instructed to expedite the release of ₹6 crore in pending incentives and bonuses for sericulture farmers by coordinating with the department’s headquarters.

Reviewing the education sector, the minister noted that while SSLC results had improved in percentage terms, the district’s ranking had dropped. He directed authorities to issue notices to teachers showing poor performance in specific subjects and to monitor underperforming students more closely.