In the first decision the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, extended two crop insurance schemes – PMFBY and RWBCIS – for one more year till 2025-26 and created a separate Rs 824.77 crore fund for technology infusion in the implementation of flagship schemes.Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) have been extended to align it with the 15th Finance Commission period, Information & Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing media after the meeting.The total outlay for PMFBY and RWBCI has been enhanced to Rs 69,515.71 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26, higher from Rs 66,550 crore for 2020-21 to 2024-25.In another big decision, which was taken pertains to extending additional subsidy on di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) beyond December 31, 2024, to help maintain retail prices of this key fertiliser at Rs 1,350 per bag of 50 kg, Vaishnaw said.Last year, the Centre announced a one-time special package on DAP at Rs 3,500 per tonne, valid from April 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, with a financial implication of Rs 2,625 crore to keep prices under check. The package was over and above the nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) fixed by the government on non-urea nutrients.The Cabinet also approved the proposal for an extension of a one-time special package on DAP at the rate of Rs 3,500 per tonne for the period from January 1, 2025, till further orders.Vaishnaw also informed that farmers will continue to get DAP at Rs 1,350 per bag of 50 Kg and the extra burden will be borne by the central government. “One-time special package up to Rs 3,850 crore is approved for DAP fertiliser,” he added.Asked about the ongoing farmer agitation in Punjab and why the government is unable to placate them, Vaishnaw said, “If you would have moved around during Haryana elections, farmers gave great feedback on ‘Andolan’ versus real welfare which is ‘good to farmers’, you would have seen for yourself.”
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