Port Blair, Feb 05: Climbing coconut palm is a risky affair and the climber is always susceptible to unforeseen/unexpected accidents during their job. To mitigate such issues, the Agriculture Department put their efforts to convince the coconut climbers to insure themselves. The Officers and field staff of South Andaman Zone contacted individual professional climbers and motivated them to take the privilege of the Coconut Development Board’s scheme called ‘Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme’ which is a comprehensive group personal accident insurance Schemes .
The sum assured under this insurance scheme is Rs. 5.00 Lakh in case of death or permanent total disablement, whereas for permanent partial disablement the said amount is Rs 2.50 lakhs. There is provision for Hospital Expense Reimbursement (24 hours IP) upto Rs 1,00,000/-. Besides these the scheme assures for Weekly Compensation in case of Temporary Total disablement upto Rs 18,000/- i.e. 3000/per week. The highlight of the scheme is it also provides Bystander Expenses in case of hospitalization (Maximum 15 days @ 200/- per day) upto Rs 3,000/- and also Ambulance Charges in case of accidents as well as death (Rs 3,000/-) and funeral expenses in case of accidental death ( Rs 5000/-).
The annual premium for this insurance scheme of Rs 375/- which will be shared between Coconut Development Board and beneficiary in the ratio of 75:25 where 75 % i.e Rs 281 will be borne by the Board and the beneficiary has to pay 25% i.e Rs 94/- only.
The Agriculture Department South Andaman Zone has been creating awareness in all villages of the South Andaman on ‘Kera Suraksha Insurance Scheme’ through Trainings and Campaigns and till date 52 Coconut Climbers of South Andaman zone has been enrolled and the filled up application forms have been submitted to Coconut Development Board, Port Blair.
