Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Oct 3: The Dakshina Kannada unit of the BJP on Saturday accused the state government of adopting policies that have adversely affected farmers under the weather-based crop insurance scheme and demanded immediate corrective measures.
Addressing a press conference at the district BJP office here, Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja, in the presence of district BJP president Sathish Kumpala and other party leaders, alleged that insurance compensation received by arecanut growers in Dakshina Kannada had declined sharply over the years.
Poonja claimed that arecanut farmers had received an average insurance payout of around Rs 1.28 lac per hectare in 2018, while the average payout had subsequently declined and stood at around Rs 20,000 per hectare this year.
The BJP leader questioned the changes made to the terms and conditions of the weather-based crop insurance scheme, particularly the rainfall parameters used to calculate compensation.
According to Poonja, the revised terms require rainfall to meet specific thresholds and, in certain cases, to occur continuously over four days for it to be considered for calculating insurance benefits. He alleged that such conditions have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to receive compensation.
Dakshina Kannada has a significant area under arecanut and black pepper cultivation. For the 2026-27 season, both crops are covered under the weather-based crop insurance scheme in the district, with Tata AIG General Insurance selected as the implementing insurance company.
Poonja also questioned the decision to continue the insurance contract with Tata AIG for the current year without inviting a fresh tender.
He alleged that the government had cited the limited time available for implementing the 2026-27 scheme as the reason for extending the existing arrangement. He sought clarification from the state government on the basis for continuing the contract.
The MLA said the issue of declining insurance payouts had earlier been raised in the Legislative Assembly and alleged that assurances given by horticulture minister S S Mallikarjun regarding a meeting with representatives of the two coastal districts and insurance companies had not resulted in a review meeting.
The BJP leaders also questioned the state government's contribution towards the insurance premium and sought details of the funds released for the scheme during the last three financial years.
They alleged that the reduction in the state's share had affected the overall insurance coverage available to farmers and demanded that the government disclose when its share was released to the insurance companies.
The BJP also alleged that delays in the release of the state’s contribution could affect the compensation payable to farmers. These claims were made by the party at the press conference and were not independently established at the event.
The party further alleged that around 85% of posts in the horticulture department in the district are vacant, affecting crop surveys and other administrative work connected with insurance claims.
Demand for review of term sheet
Poonja demanded that the state government review the revised insurance term sheet and ensure that the conditions reflect the actual weather-related risks faced by plantation farmers.
He also sought clarification from district in-charge minister U T Khader and local representatives on the government's position regarding the insurance scheme and the release of its share.
The BJP leaders said arecanut and black pepper growers were facing financial difficulties and urged the government to ensure fair compensation under the scheme.
They warned that if the government failed to address the issues, release pending funds and reconsider the insurance conditions, the BJP, along with its MPs, MLAs and district leaders, would launch protests in support of farmers.
The press conference was attended by district BJP general secretaries Devamani Shetty and Yathish Arwar, district secretaries Pushpamayiappa, Shobhendra and Sathish, District SC Morcha president Jagannath Kodapadi, Yuva Morcha general secretary Umesh, OBC Morcha general secretary Shashidhar Kammaje, and district media co-coordinator Vasanth Poojary, among others.