Aadhaar must for crop insurance schemes

Aadhaar must for crop insurance schemes

The Centre has made Aadhaar mandatory for availing crop insurance from the upcoming Kharif (summer) sowing season beginning April 1. The agriculture ministry has issued a directive to rural financial institutes to comply with the new rule.

“The Government of India has notified that farmers availing crop insurance schemes administered/implemented by the Department of Agriculture from Kharif 2017 are hereby required to undergo Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar,” the directive stated.

The banks have been asked to persuade farmers to furnish Aadhaar identification card at the time of sanction/renewal/ disbursement/inspection of loan or on visit at bank branches, it said.