Govt makes Aadhaar must for crop insurance policies

​New Delhi: The government has made Aadhaar mandatory for availing crop insurance policies from the upcoming kharif sowing season.

The Agriculture Ministry has issued a directive to rural financial institutes to comply with the new rule from the kharif (summer) season starting April 1. "The Government of India has notified that farmers availing crop insurance schemes administered/implemented by the Department of Agriculture from kharif 2017 are hereby required to undergo Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar," said the directive.

The banks have been asked to persuade farmers to furnish Aadhaar identification card at the time of sanction/ renewal/ disbursement/ inspection of the loan or on visit at bank branches, it said.

Farmers who are yet to enroll for Aadhaar are required to get one. The state governments will have to arrange or offer enrolment facilities for beneficiaries. Till the time Aadhaar is assigned to an individual, crop insurance under any of the government-run schemes -- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather-based Crop Insurance (RWBCI) may be availed by farmers by furnishing documents such as bank passbook, Aadhaar enrolment ID slip, voter ID and MGNREGA job card.

Farmers can also furnish driving licence along with a copy of request made for Aaadhar. But these documents will be verified by designated state government officials, the notification added. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather-based Crop Insurance (RWBCI) provides a comprehensive insurance cover against failure of crop. Under these schemes, premium to be paid by farmers are fixed lower.