With a view to provide adequate compensation to the farmers and agricultural labourers in case of any injury or death, the state government has launched an ambitious scheme, being implemented by the state agriculture department.
The scheme named as ‘Mukhya Mantri Kisaan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jeevan Suraksha Yojna 2015-16’ is another major initiative of the state government to provide relief to the farming community. The scheme covers the farmers and agricultural labourers who will be given compensation in the event of injury or death during the operation of farm machinery. A provision of providing compensation of Rs. 1.50 lakh has been made in case of death due to an accident occurred while working on the farm or machinery etc. whereas Rs. 50,000 will be provided in case of permanent disability to the victim.
The scheme will include death or disablement of any farmers or agriculture labourer above 14 years due to an accident occurred while working on the farm machinery, implements, tools, equipments etc. at his home, farm or while carrying machinery from home to farm and vice versa within the State. This also include death or disablement of any farmer or farm labourer due to an accident occurred while, installing/operating tube well, bore well, pumping set, low lifts etc.
Death or disablement of any farmer or labourer due to electric current while installing, carrying and operating any power operated machinery has also been covered under this scheme. Farm machinery for this purpose include tractors registered for agricultural purpose, power tillers, weeders, power plough, reaper-cum-binder, power thrasher, chaff cutters, implements, tools, equipments installation and operation of tube well/bore well/pumping sets and low lifts.
The scheme is limited to the domicile farmers and farm labourers and will not to be applicable to workers or employees of any company or contractor.
The legal heir of the deceased or victim will have to deposit claim application to the Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) of the respective block within two months from the date of death or injury. However, on the basis of genuine reasons, delayed submission can be condoned up to four months by Director, Agriculture and six months by the Secretary (Agriculture). The claim amount will be disbursed within 15 days of receipt of application complete in all respect.
Himachal Pradesh government has started number of new programmes including Rs.111 crore Dr. Y S Parmar Swarojgar Yojna, Rs.154 crore Rajiv Gandhi Micro Irrigation Scheme, Rs.20 crore Borewell/Lift Irrigation Schemes, Mukhya Mantri Kisaan Evam Khetihar Mazdoor Jeevan Suraksha Yojna, setting up of centers of excellence for vegetable nursery, organic farming and vermi compost units,Uttam Chaara Utpadan Yojana and providing soil health card to every farmer during this financial year. These initiatives will certainly go a long way in transforming the agriculture into agribusiness in the state.
It has also been decided to continue coffee plantation in 10 hectare area during this financial year and also weather based crop insurance scheme had been extended in peas, tomato and ginger crops. The state government has also approached Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for second phase of crop diversification project under Technical Cooperation. Besides, the Agriculture department is also implementing four national programmes for which Rs. 90 crore have been earmarked.
During this financial year, Rs. 450 Crore will be spent under various schemes to give boost to agriculture production and to increase income of farmers. The top priority is being accorded for crop diversification for which Rs. 66 crore are being spent during this fiscal.
