Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das hails PM crop insurance scheme

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

"Since Independence several crop insurance schemes had been launched but they covered only 23 percent (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 percent for food grains and oilseeds and up to five percent for horticulture and cotton crops.

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