Rajasthan: FIRs filed against e-Mitra operators, farmers in fraudulent crop insurance cases

Jaipur, Aug 19 (IANS) The Rajasthan Agriculture Department has confirmed fraud in the procurement of insurance claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Kalusar village in Sri Ganganagar district, officials said on Wednesday.

FIRs have been ordered against e-Mitra operators, farmers and other individuals allegedly involved in obtaining fraudulent crop insurance claims.

Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has directed officials to take strict legal action against those involved and ensure that the benefits of PMFBY reach only genuine farmers.

A departmental inquiry found that multiple crop insurance policies were taken out for the same piece of land, resulting in claims amounting to around Rs 30 lakh.

Agriculture Commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal said that FIRs have been ordered against farmers Banwari Lal, Richhpal and other participating farmers, e-Mitra operators Vikas Kumar and Bijesh, as well as other parties found involved in the alleged irregularities.

According to the inquiry, Banwari Lal insured a groundnut crop on 10.37 hectares of his land as a loanee farmer.

At the same time, crop insurance was obtained for the same land through e-Mitra operators, resulting in multiple policies covering the same area.

Banwari Lal received a total insurance claim of Rs 23.35 lakh through three policies.

The land was subsequently leased to Richhpal on a sharecropping arrangement.

Richhpal also obtained crop insurance for the same 10.37-hectare area and received a claim of Rs 7.80 lakh.

Other farmers also obtained insurance for groundnut cultivation on the same parcel, although their claims were rejected by the insurance company.

The inquiry found that multiple policies were issued against the same Khasra and that insurance coverage was obtained for an area around seven times the actual size of the land parcel.

The Agriculture Department suspects possible collusion among e-Mitra operators, farmers and other stakeholders and has ordered strict action against all those found responsible.

The Agriculture Department also lodged FIRs on Tuesday against e-Mitra operators and other individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent crop insurance cases for the Kharif 2026 season in Malpura tehsil of Tonk district and Shahpura tehsil of Jaipur district.

Commissioner Naresh Kumar Goyal said the Agriculture Department has launched ‘Operation Clean’ to identify and prevent irregularities in crop insurance.

The department has also made Farmer ID mandatory along with crop insurance policies, which will help identify beneficiaries and detect suspicious cases.

Policies taken by farmers who have not obtained agricultural loans will also undergo detailed scrutiny.

Goyal added that the state government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and no one will be allowed to compromise the integrity of the PMFBY scheme.

The Agriculture Commissioner warned e-Mitra operators, farmers, brokers, insurance company personnel and financial institutions that fraudulent crop insurance policies must be cancelled immediately.

He said those found involved in fraud will face departmental as well as legal action under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The Agriculture Department said it remains committed to protecting the interests of genuine farmers and will take strict action against anyone found misusing the crop insurance scheme.

–IANS

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