PM scheme fraud: Hisar admin orders probe into crop insurance
Following The Tribune’s report on suspected fraud under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) involving farmers from Kirtan village, the Hisar district administration has instructed the insurance firm responsible for the scheme to scrutinise all rabi crop insurance policies across the district.
Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) Dr Rajbir Singh said letters had been sent to the Directorate of Agriculture at the state headquarters and the contracted insurance firm, urging them to investigate all insurance policies issued in Hisar district.
“A number of farmers from Kirtan village visited our office today and submitted affidavits claiming their farmlands were insured under PMFBY without their knowledge. In several instances, unknown individuals, who are not even residents of Hisar district, insured land owned by others,” said Dr Singh.
Initially, the Agriculture Department had asked the insurance firm to investigate the alleged fraud in Kirtan village. However, the scope has now been expanded to examine all farmlands insured during the ongoing rabi season across the district.
State investigation agencies have also initiated inquiries after the media report. Officials from the intelligence wing have visited Kirtan village to collect information from affected farmers, sources confirmed.
The PMFBY has witnessed several cases of fraud, where cybercriminals exploited the scheme. They fraudulently insured crops using fake registrations and substituted their own bank account and mobile numbers to claim compensation for crop losses.
Dr Singh acknowledged this broader issue, saying, “Such cases are deeply concerning. This is why we have escalated the investigation to cover the entire district.”
According to sources, similar frauds have occurred in other regions. Around 100 individuals were reportedly booked for fraud under the PMFBY in Rohnat village of Bhiwani district.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the malpractice and identify those responsible. Authorities are committed to ensuring justice for affected farmers and restoring faith in the insurance process under PMFBY.
