Pashu Bima Padhakam Eligibility, Premium, Claim Process In A.P.
Imagine a farmer who has invested years of hard work and care into rearing his livestock, only to face devastating losses due to an unexpected disease outbreak or natural disaster. For millions of rural households, livestock isn't just an asset—it's their lifeline.
The risks associated with animal rearing can turn this lifeline into a financial burden overnight. To protect farmers from such economic hardships, the Andhra Pradesh Government has introduced the Pashu Bima Padhakam, a comprehensive livestock insurance scheme.
Implemented by the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development & Fisheries Department (AHDD&F) in collaboration with the National Livestock Mission, this initiative aims to provide financial security to farmers, ensuring that their livelihoods remain stable even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Pashu Bhima Padhakam Claim Details for Livestock:
The below-mentioned categories of animals belonging to all categories of Livestock owners including big farmers will come under the purview of the scheme.
| Category | Eligibility Criteria | Insurance Claim Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle/Buffaloes | - Productive Cattle (calved once, age 2-10 years) | Rs. 30,000 per head |
| - Productive Buffaloes (calved once, age 3-12 years) | ||
| Male Cattle/Buffaloes/Draught Animals | - Exotic and Crossbred (age above 1.5 years, under 10 years) | Rs. 30,000 per head |
| - Indigenous & Non-Descript (age above 2 years, under 10 years) | ||
| Non-Descript Breed Cattle/Buffaloes | - Same as above | Rs. 15,000 per head |
| Sheep/Goat/Pigs | Age 6 months and above | Rs. 6,000 per head |
Livestock Insurance Premium Rates:
By subsidizing a significant portion of the pashu bima premium rates, the government aims to encourage wider participation in the scheme.
| Category | Animal Sum Insured | Premium for 3 Years | Govt. Share | Beneficiary Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above Poverty Line | Rs. 15,000 | Rs. 960 | Rs. 480 | Rs. 480 |
| Rs. 30,000 | Rs. 1920 | Rs. 960 | Rs. 960 | |
| BPL/SC/ST | Rs. 15,000 | Rs. 960 | Rs. 768 | Rs. 192 |
| Rs. 30,000 | Rs. 1920 | Rs. 1536 | Rs. 384 |
| Category | Insurance Amount | Premium for 1 Year | Govt. Paid | Beneficiary Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APL | Rs. 6000 | Rs. 180 | Rs. 90 | Rs. 90 |
| BPL/SC/ST | Rs. 6000 | Rs. 180 | Rs. 144 | Rs. 36 |
| Category | Central Share | State Share | Beneficiary Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPL/SC/ST | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| APL | 25% | 25% | 50% |
Determination of Age in Livestock for the Pashu Bima Scheme:
The age of livestock for the Pashu Bima Padhakam (livestock insurance scheme) is determined based on dentition, as the growth and wear patterns of teeth provide a reliable estimate of an animal's age, particularly in cattle, sheep, and goats. This assessment is conducted by a veterinarian from the relevant jurisdiction.
Cattle Insurance Scheme Eligibility:
The Pashu Bima scheme provides insurance coverage for various types of livestock, with specific limits on the number of animals that can be insured under each category. Here's a summary:
- All insured cattle and Buffaloes must be tagged with a unique identification number.
- A household can only insure up to 5 cattle or buffaloes, and up to 50 sheep, goats, or pigs per year.
- Animals that are both tagged under the INAPH scheme and meet the insurance company's criteria will be eligible for coverage.
Pashu Insurance Claims for Mortality: Conditions and Situations
When processing bima claims, it's crucial to understand the causes of livestock death covered under insurance, as these determine which situations qualify for Livestock Loss compensation.
(1). Accidental Death Coverage
Claims for mortality due to accidents are typically processed under various circumstances, including but not limited to:
- Natural Disasters: Events such as floods and cyclones.
- Drowning: Accidental drowning incidents.
- Electrocution: Death resulting from electrical accidents.
- Accidental Poisoning: Ingestion of toxic substances by accident.
- Animal Attacks: Incidents involving snake bites or wildlife attacks.
- Strangulation: Accidental strangulation cases.
- Fire Accidents: Deaths resulting from fire-related incidents.
- Transportation Accidents: Road or rail accidents lead to mortality.
- Fortuitous Circumstances: Any other unforeseen accidents that result in death.
(2). Death Due to Diseases
In addition to accidents, bima padhakam claims can also be processed in cases where mortality is caused by diseases. This may encompass a wide range of health conditions, including chronic illnesses, terminal diseases, and sudden health crises.
Exclusions and Non-Eligibility Criteria for Insurance Claims:
Here are the key points regarding the claims for insurance that cannot be processed
(1). Malicious or Willful Acts of the Owner:
If the owner of the insured animal intentionally causes harm or damage to the animal, the insurance claim will not be valid.
(2). Circumstances Covered under SDRF/NDRF:
Claims may be denied if the situation falls under the jurisdiction of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) or the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as these funds provide separate relief measures.
(3). Already Insured Animals:
If the insured animal is already covered under another insurance policy or scheme, the current insurance claim may not be processed. Insurance companies typically do not allow double coverage or overlapping policies for the same risk.
(4). Lack of PTD:
Permanent Total Disability (PTD) is not covered, so financial compensation is not provided under the Pashu Bima scheme.
(5). Stolen or Missing Animals
If the insured animal is stolen or goes missing, the scheme does not provide coverage for such incidents. Claims under this scheme can only be made if the animal dies due to causes that are specifically covered under the policy.
Procedure to apply and pay the premium for Pashu Bima Scheme:
(1). User (AHA) Login and Data Entry:
- The user (AHA) will log in to the mobile app using Aadhaar authentication or OTP.
- The user will enter the beneficiary's Aadhaar number to retrieve their details (name, age, gender, caste category) from the Household Data.
- The user will input the livestock details of the beneficiary along with images.
- Images will be tagged with latitude, longitude, place, date, and time of capture and uploaded to the server after capturing the Aadhaar KYC of the beneficiary.
(2). Data Uploading and Processing:
The collected data will be uploaded to the server. The software will automatically generate the animal-wise sum insured, premium rate applicable, and amount of beneficiary share.
(3). Premium Payment:
The AHA will collect the beneficiary share and deposit it into the dedicated bank account.
Required Documents For Pashu Bhima Padhakam:
Along with the Ear Tag, the documents required by the insurance company would be:
- Intimation Form
- Claim Form
- Post-Mortem Certificate
- Panchanama (or) FIR (for cases other than natural death)
- Copy of rearers/owner's Aadhar card
- Copy of rearers/owner's Rice Card (for BPL household)
- Copy of canceled cheque leaf or first page of bank passbook
- Duly signed satisfaction voucher/Advance stamped receipt
Timeline for processing claims Under Pashu Bima:
The entire process is carried out by the operational guidelines.
Day 1: Intimation and Initial Procedures
- The animal owner or local authorities inform the Call Centre about the death of the insured animal.
- The Call Centre verifies the details and notifies the Assistant Health Officer (AHA) or the designated veterinary officer.
- The AHA organizes a post-mortem examination of the deceased animal to determine the cause of death.
- The veterinary officer completes the post-mortem and prepares the report, which is necessary for processing the insurance claim.
Day 2: Documentation Collection and Submission
- Collection of all required documents from the beneficiary, including identification and insurance forms.
- Acquisition of necessary documents from the AHA, such as the post-mortem report and related paperwork.
- Uploading of all collected documents into the insurance claims portal for review
- Review of documents by the insurance investigator, completion of any necessary investigation, and preparation of the investigation report.
Day 3: Submission and Processing of Insurance Claim
- Upload the completed insurance investigation report to the claims portal.
- Submit the ear tag of the deceased animal to the nearest Micro or Branch Divisional Officer of the insurance company.
- The insurance company downloads all uploaded documents and begins the formal processing of the claim.
Day 4-15: Claim Admissibility and Final Actions
- The insurance company either confirms the claim’s admissibility or uploads a list of required or pending documents on the claims portal.
- If the claim is admissible, process the claim and disburse the proceeds to the beneficiary via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Upload the UTR details to the portal.
- If the claim is not admissible, upload the reasons for denial to the portal and officially reject the claim.
- If documentation is incomplete, close the claim for resubmission and notify the call center and beneficiary about the need for resubmission.
Tracking Your Pashu Bima Padhakam Claim Status:
Farmers can get the status of their claim through the following ways:
Helpline:
Farmers can contact the dedicated 1962 helpline (call centre) set up by the scheme. By providing their claim reference number, they can receive updates on the claim details.
Local Animal Husbandry Assistant (AHA):
Farmers can visit or contact their local Animal Husbandry Assistant (AHA) or designated veterinary officer, who can access the online portal to provide real-time updates on it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
(1). Insurance Claim Settlement Period:
Claims are typically settled within 15 days from the submission of all necessary documents.
(2). What happens if an animal loses its ear tag?
This livestock death compensation scheme allows for mandatory witness testimony (Panchanama) to verify the identity of the animal.
(3). Can I get insurance for animals that migrate to another district?
Yes, animals that migrate within Andhra Pradesh are still covered under the same insurance policy.
(4). What happens if the insurance company delays the claim settlement?
The scheme has a timeline of 15 days for claim settlement, and any delay beyond this can be reported to the relevant authorities for redressal.
(5). How does the Pashu insurance scheme handle claims if multiple animals die at once?
If multiple animals die simultaneously, the claims will be processed individually for each animal. The scheme covers up to 50 sheep, goats, or pigs and up to 5 cattle or buffaloes per household per year.
(6). What happens if the Cattle and Buffaloes Insurance animal is sold to another owner?
The new owner would need to re-enroll the animal under their name for continued coverage. The previous insurance does not automatically transfer with the sale.
(7). How are APL (Above Poverty Line) and BPL (Below Poverty Line) families determined for the Pashu Bima Padhakam scheme?
During the application process for the Pashu Bima Padhakam, the Animal Husbandry Assistant (AHA) or relevant official will verify the beneficiary’s category (APL/BPL) using their Aadhaar number and other identification documents, such as the Rice Card.
Conclusion:
The government's subsidy on premium rates under Pashu Bima Padhakam makes it accessible to a wider range of farmers and the scheme's streamlined claim process and clear eligibility criteria ensure that farmers can receive timely compensation, enabling them to recover and rebuild their livestock assets.
Overall, the Pashu Bima Padhakam serves as a crucial safety net for rural households, protecting their primary source of income and contributing to the overall resilience of the agricultural sector in Andhra Pradesh.
