Push for 100% insurance coverage: CM to banks

PANAJI
If banks in the state promote the Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima and the PM Suraksha Bima schemes aggressively enough, Goa will achieve 100 per cent insurance coverage of the eligible population, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

Sawant was speaking at a credit outreach programme held in Panaji in the presence of Union Minister of State for Finance Dr Bhagwat Karad.

Sawant also called for a synergy between banks and the government-appointed Swayampurna Mitras, who, he said, would help percolate the benefits of the two insurance policies as well as other loan initiatives of the state and central governments.

“I feel it is an achievement to achieve 100 per cent insurance of people under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima and PM Suraksha Bima. If you (banks) cooperate, we can get the state 100 per cent insured. If banks promote the Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima and the PM Suraksha Bima, 100 per cent eligible people will be insured (in Goa),” Sawant said.

“It (annual premium) is hardly Rs 330 and Rs 12. In Goa, no one is unable to pay Rs 330 and Rs 12. Definitely, they can pay, the only thing is we need to convey to them the importance of insurance and convince them to sign up,” Sawant said.

The Chief Minister also urged banks in Goa to tie up with the government’s Swayampurna Mitras, Class I officers who have been designated under the Atmanirbhar Bharat-Swayampurna Goa initiative for outreach in village panchayat areas.

“Our Swayampurna Mitras are in every village panchayat and they are ready to convey the importance of the insurance schemes to people,” Sawant said. 

The Chief Minister also lauded banks in the state and its officials for promoting the two mass insurance schemes at various government programmes, while also lauding them for increasing their lending in Goa.

“There is an increase in the credit deposit ratio from 32.68 per cent to 33.48. Disbursement of MUDRA loan has increased from Rs 74 crore to Rs 126 crore. The agriculture sector loans have increased from Rs. 15.62 crore to Rs 35.50 core under the annual credit plan,” Sawant said.