Kalpetta: The Kerala Human Rights Commission has asked the state government to pay its share of funds to a farmer within a month, in accordance with the state crop insurance scheme. The instruction was given to the agricultural department director by K Baiju Nath, the acting chairperson and judicial member of the state human rights commission.  The agriculture department has to notify the commission about the measures initiated by it, as per the latter’s instructions, within a month.

The crop insurance funds are usually paid to farmers during instances of crop failures, owing to a variety of reasons ranging from natural calamities to pests and diseases. 

The instructions were given while considering a complaint submitted by Jose Kochumalayil, who lives in the 13th ward, which comes under the limits of western KrishiBhavan. In the complaint filed by Jose, it was mentioned that 299 bunches of ripe banana plants were completely destroyed in torrential rains and heavy storms in July 2021. Now the government is supposed to pay its share of Rs 29,900 to the farmer within a month.

The agriculture officer concerned has submitted a report pertaining to the incident. As per the report, the total amount payable to the farmers is pegged at Rs 1,19,600.

On November 10, 2021, the district principal agriculture officer had granted approval to sanction the funds. A part of the insurance money has already been given to the complainant. Now the state government shall release its share of funds. Jose told the commission that the government has been defaulting on the payment since over two years He also said that he has availed a loan of Rs 4 lakhs from the Kallody Kerala Gramin Bank.