Insurance cover for shepherds

Shimla, Jul 20 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government would consider extension of insurance cover to shepherds of the state by bringing them under the fold of Shepherd Insurance Scheme in association with Government of India, LIC of India and the beneficiaries.

Informing this at review meeting of animal husbandry Department here, Chief Minister P K Dhumal said about 15,000 shepherds would be covered during current financial year and the beneficiaries would be entitled to compensation of Rs 60,000 in case of natural death of the policy holder and adequate compensation for accidental death, permanent disability, loss of limbs and eyes, as the case might be.

He said an annual premium of Rs 330 would be required to be paid in the ratio of Rs 100, Rs 150 and Rs 80 by the LIC of India, Government of India and the beneficiary respectively.

The insurance cover would be extended to every eligible member of the community in a phased manner, he added.

Mr Dhumal said 42,000 milk producers had benefited with the increase in the milk price by Rs two per kg for which an amount of Rs nine crore had been made available.

He said 374 societies were functioning under HP MILKFED and 4,996 self help groups formed in the dairy sector.

UNI AS HS PD UCS2023