The government has modified Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana to ensure transparency, accountability and timely payment of claims to the farmers. Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha today, Union Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that earlier, the farmers had to wait for several months to receive payments in their accounts. He said that insurers will have to pay agriculture-related claims with 12 per cent interest if they fail to settle the claims within 21 days.

The Minister also informed that if the state governments also delay the claim process, they also have to pay 12 per cent interest to the farmers. Mr Chouhan said the farmers can also register complaints on the Krishi Rakshak Portal with regard to their grievances related to claim settlement. He said, so far, two lakh 71 thousand complaints have been registered at the portal, and the government is investigating the complaints and taking strict action.

Mr Chouhan said, the government is procuring crops at the Minimum Support Price to provide fair remuneration prices to farmers for their produce. He said, this year the MSP for wheat, paddy, oilseeds, and pulses have been increased. The Minister informed that the record procurement of crops is going on and the government has decided to procure as much of pulses like Tur, Masoor and Urad from farmers.