Of late, Telangana people are gung-ho on creation of new districts. There seemed to be much happiness on faces of the people following festivals – Dusshera and Diwali – bursting crackers all around and worshiping KCR as God on the streets were also witnessed.
Amidst the high-spirited merriment of the realtors on creation of new revenue divisions and mandals, travails of farming community continues as the State government turning a blind eye on their crop insurance.
Even after one month passed in the Rabi season, the farmers are clueless as the Telangana government not yet initiated any measures with regard to the crop insurance. How much premium should be imposed on a crop in the district? Through which company the insurance has to be implemented? These questions continue to hover in the minds of the officials. The details should be out before the Rabi season starts, but the government failed in listing out following festive atmosphere in the State after new districts.
Crop insurance has come a succour to farmers when the crop is damaged due to unforeseen natural calamities like torrential rains. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bheema Yojna is being implemented across the country. There is special scheme for rain-fed crops too in some regions. in Telangana, some insurance companies, which quoted less premium in old districts, has raised their bar in the new districts.
Problems of farmers in Telangana are aplenty. The crop loan waiver which is being implemented in phases, is doing no good to the farmers. Private money lenders are making good money exploiting the small and medium scale farmers. The ryots are waiting for at least crop insurance can save their lives. The government should carve out guidelines before the completion of Rabi season to benefit farmers.