Speaker Om Birla asks Centre to form groups and brief MPs on crop insurance scheme

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday called on the government to form dedicated groups of Members of Parliament to help deepen their understanding of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana , saying better informed lawmakers could support farmers more effectively. During the Question Hour in the House, Mr Birla intervened while Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was addressing supplementary questions and stressed the need for such groups; the minister agreed with the proposal.

Mr Birla said the move would “help MPs guide farmers on the benefits and implementation of this important scheme” and ensure legislators “are fully equipped to discuss crop insurance issues with their constituents”, according to official accounts of the session. Mr Chouhan welcomed the suggestion, noting that improved awareness among MPs could strengthen outreach to farmers.

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, launched in February 2016 by the Government of India, provides affordable insurance coverage to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities such as drought, flood, hailstorm and pest attacks . Under the scheme, eligible farmers, including loanee, tenant and sharecropper cultivators, pay subsidised premiums while the government bears a significant portion of the cost via public and private insurance companies. The scheme’s objective is to stabilise farm incomes and provide financial security in the face of unpredictable weather risks.

Since its inception, PMFBY has expanded across most states and notified crops, but challenges such as timely settlement of claims and variation in coverage have been raised in Parliament and by stakeholders. Proponents of the Speaker’s idea argue that focused MP groups could play a constructive role in addressing these issues by engaging with farmers on the ground and disseminating clearer information about scheme features and benefits.

By advocating the formation of these groups, Mr Birla aims to enhance legislators’ familiarity not only with the objectives and mechanics of the crop insurance scheme but also with how it can be better communicated and implemented to support farm communities nationwide.