New Delhi, Sept. 19 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticised the TMC government for keeping farmers out of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, saying the BJP government had enrolled around 32 lakh farmers in the scheme by September 15. He claimed West Bengal ranked second nationally in farmer enrolment under PMFBY for the 2026 kharif season.
"In this difficult situation of floods and natural calamities, the main priority of our government is to stand by our hardworking farmers," Adhikari stated. The previous Mamata Banerjee government stopped farmer registration under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana in 2019-20, leaving farmers without crop insurance for years. After the BJP came to power, the scheme was reintroduced with a renewed focus on farmers. The first phase of registration under the new government has received a strong response, Adhikari claimed. "To ensure financial security of the farmers affected by the recent floods, prompt steps have been taken in the 2026 Kharif season. West Bengal has today secured the second position in the entire country by bringing a total of 32 lakh farmers under this insurance in a very orderly process till 15th September 2026," wrote the CM on social media.
The CM said farmer enrolment in flood-affected districts has been encouraging, with East Midnapore topping the list at 7.2 lakh farmers, followed by West Midnapore with 4.7 lakh and Hooghly with 1.68 lakh. The drive assumes significance after the August floods damaged crops. The state government organised special Gram Panchayat-level camps from August to September 15 to facilitate enrolment and extend crop insurance to flood-hit farmers. Those cultivating up to one hectare pay a token Re 1, while farmers with 1-2 hectares pay Rs 100 per acre, with the state bearing the remaining premium. Insurers have been directed to expedite assessment of August flood losses under "mid-season adversity". The deadline for loanee farmers to enrol through banks has been extended to September 30.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.