Farmers in Chikkamagaluru district staged a strong protest on Tuesday, voicing their frustration against the district administration and insurance companies for failing to provide adequate and timely crop insurance compensation. The demonstration, held in Sringeri, saw the participation of cultivators alongside presidents and representatives of various Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.
Core Grievances: Low Payouts and Faulty Assessment
The protesters leveled serious allegations regarding the implementation of the weather-based crop insurance scheme. HK Dinesh Hegde, the president of Nemmar Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, stated that farmers have received very low and inadequate compensation for their losses. He revealed a more distressing fact: some gram panchayats have not received any compensation at all.
Hegde pinpointed a critical systemic failure. "Despite heavy rain in the taluk for the past three years, the rain gauge centres are not functioning properly," he said. This malfunction, he argued, led to an inaccurate assessment of the actual crop loss experienced by farmers, leaving genuine compensation a distant dream for many.
Officials Respond, But Farmers Remain Skeptical
Adding to the chorus of discontent, DC Shankarappa, vice-president of DCC Bank, highlighted the inordinate delay in the process. He noted that while farmers diligently pay their insurance premiums, it takes an excruciating 1.5 years for the compensation to be released, defeating the purpose of a safety net.
The protest took a more accusatory turn with MH Nataraj, president of Halandoor Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, alleging a collusion between insurance companies and district administration officials to profit at the expense of the farming community.
In response, horticulture department assistant director Shrikrishna provided a partial update, stating that compensation amounts have already been deposited for some gram panchayats and that the remaining panchayats would receive their dues soon.
Administration Steps In, Promises Clarity
Assistant commissioner Sudarshan accepted the memorandum from the protesting farmers. Addressing their concerns, he announced that insurance company officials have been instructed to visit on Wednesday to clarify the confusion and address the issues surrounding the insurance compensation directly.
This move by the administration is seen as a first step towards resolving the long-pending grievances. However, the farming community in Sringeri taluk awaits concrete action and timely disbursement of funds, hoping this protest will finally translate into the financial support they were promised under the crop insurance scheme.
