Sena and NCP (SP) leaders say crop insurance scam involving bee-eating people

Several people from Beed allegedly demanded crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Bima Fasal Yojana by producing documents of farmers from Renapur Tehsil in Latur, a Shiv Sena leader claimed on Thursday.

“Hundreds of farmers from Hanumantwadi, Kalewadi, Anandwadi and Renapur tehsil have been affected by this scam,” claimed Shiv Sena Latur district chief Sachin Dane.

“The people involved provided the names, survey numbers and Aadhaar card details of farmers from Latur Renapur Tehsil. The crop insurance claims were honored and the money was siphoned off,” he said.

In one case, a woman farmer received ₹2.25 lakh in crop insurance on a 3.75-acre plot, he said.

“The negligence of the state Department of Agriculture and insurance companies is the cause of these irregularities. Several farmers from Parli in Beed have filed claims in many districts of Marathwada. The state government must order a thorough investigation as the scam could cost several hundred crores of rupees,” alleged NCP (SP) officer Suraj Salunke.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Superintendent R T Jadhav said the cancellation of forms is in progress after they are verified by the insurance company.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana is applicable from 2016 across the country.