Jharkhand CM hails Prime Minister's Crop Insurance scheme

The scheme will be rolled out from this year's kharif season

Terming the union Cabinet's approval of Prime Minister's Crop Insurance scheme as historic,Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today said it is the "best ever" scheme for farmers.

"Since Independence several crop insurance schemes had been launched but they covered only 23 per cent (of the farmers) so far. This one is the best crop insurance ever," Das said here.

The crop insurance scheme is a gift to the farmers on the occasion of Lohri, Pongal and Bihu festivals, the Chief Minister said in a press conference hours after the union Cabinet approved the scheme.

Under the scheme, premium for farmers has been kept at a maximum of two per cent for food grains and oilseeds and up to five per cent for horticulture and cotton crops.

The scheme, which replaces existing National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, will be rolled out from this year's kharif season.