Bhandara: 117 farmer accident insurance claims approved, Rs 2.34 crore funds yet to arrive

In Bhandara district, 117 proposals have been approved under the Gopinath Munde Farmer Accident Insurance Scheme since January 2026. Funds of Rs 2.34 crore are required for these proposals but have not been received so far, so eligible beneficiaries are waiting for help. The scheme is meant to support farm families pushed into hardship by accidents.

Until the end of 2025, the Agriculture Department in the district had received 186 proposals under the scheme. Of these, 124 were approved and 62 were rejected. Funds totalling Rs 2.17 crore have been disbursed to 109 beneficiaries among the approved proposals. The money gave the families support in a difficult time.

The scheme aims to give farm families hit by accidents a financial footing. It is considered important in tackling the financial crisis that follows when an earning member of a farm family dies in an accident or suffers a disability that qualifies under the rules. Eligible beneficiaries get insurance cover of up to Rs 2 lakh in case of death in an accident, or if both eyes or two limbs are lost in an accident. Some eligible cases of loss of an eye or limb are also covered.

Electric shock, snakebite, scorpion sting, road accidents and other farm-related accidents can also qualify for benefits under the rules. After an accident, the concerned revenue officer, police officer and taluka agriculture officer visit the spot and investigate. On the basis of their report, a committee headed by the tehsildar decides the case. The grant amount is deposited in the bank account of eligible beneficiaries. The decision process is required to be completed within 30 days.

Scrutiny of proposals, approval and disbursal of funds are all important stages so that the benefit reaches eligible farm families. The department has said that the necessary follow-up will be done so that beneficiaries of approved proposals receive the funds. The issue of the pending funds will be raised at the government level, and once funds are available, action will be taken to give eligible beneficiaries the benefit as per the rules. The department says it is trying to ensure that farm families get financial help on time.

Coordination and follow-up among the agencies concerned are necessary to provide cover of up to Rs 2 lakh to farm families hit by accidents. This could make the process of getting financial support to eligible families more effective. Once the Rs 2.34 crore for the 117 proposals approved since January 2026 is received, disbursal can move ahead, and more eligible families can then get a financial footing.