Unjha citizens get accident cover

Unjha in Meshana district has become the first tehsil in the contrite to have insured all its citizens against accidents.

The project, spearheaded by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), which controls the spice trades in Unjha, has so far insured 1,90,000 people in the 36 villages of the tehsil.

The project, started three years ago, has now been extended to 10 more neibhouring village in the fourth year. These villages were added to the project with effect from April 1, 2005.

Unjha is dominated by cash-rich Patel community who are engaged in the spices and oil seeds trading. The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd is the insurer for the project with n annual premium of Rs 33.60 lakh for the financial year 2005-06.

"The scheme was started three years ago with insuring 23 villages. Subsequently it was extended to 36 villages. The insurance coverage is being provided without the consideration of cast, creed or profession," said Vishnu Patel, secretary, APMC-Unjha.

The village insurance plan was renewed on April 1, after a national-level bidding. Last year, National Insurance had succeeded in the bid. So far, APMC have paid a premium of Rs 96 lakh, against the clams settlement of Rs 74 lakh.

"It was the vision of our chairman Narayan Patel to insure the stakeholders in the local society. The idea of covering villagers has its roots in the state-promoted insurance for farmers. APMC with its huge reserves had preferred to go for a bigger project. The purpose behind the insurance is to provide security to poor families in the region," said Patel.

The villagers are insured against accidental death due to snake bite, drowning or road accident. The cover varies in proportion to the injury. The family of a victim with permanent injuries is eligible to claim Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh in case of death.

The process of making claims has been simplified. The family of the victim only needs to produce identity proof such as driving license, voter ID card or ration card of the victim.

APMC-Unjha also have number of other schemes for labours, who work for spice traders. The market committee also offers subsidised food and shelter to the farmers and labours involved in the trade.