A group of orange growers from Akot taluka has approached the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, alleging that they did not receive the full compensation prescribed under India's weather-based fruit crop insurance scheme. The court has issued notices to the state government, the insurance company, and other respondents, asking them to file replies by February 11 next year.
The petition, filed by orange cultivator Pramod Tarale and three others, contests what they describe as "serious irregularities" in the implementation of the restructured weather-based fruit crop insurance scheme introduced under a government resolution dated June 12, 2024. The program covers eight fruit crops, including oranges, sweet lime, and pomegranate, for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons.
According to the petitioners, growers in the Umra circle paid the full insurance premium and expected compensation of ₹50,000 per hectare in the case of weather-related losses. Instead, they report that the insurance company released ₹15,000 per hectare. At the current exchange rate, ₹50,000 is roughly US$602 per hectare, and ₹15,000 is roughly US$181 per hectare.
Farmers had earlier submitted a representation to the Akola district administration requesting intervention, but with no follow-up action reported, they have taken the matter to the court to seek enforcement of the scheme's compensation terms.
The petition was argued by lawyer Vipul Bhise on behalf of the growers, while NS Rao represented the state government. The petition requests directions to ensure full compensation and to address issues raised in the administration of the insurance mechanism during a period of weather-related crop stress.
Source: The Times Of India
