Maharashtra Expands Gopinath Munde Scheme To Cover 6 Crore Citizens

The Maharashtra government has decided to expand the Gopinath Munde Farmers’ Accident Security Ex-Gratia Grant Scheme, which will now cover nearly six crore citizens, including landless agricultural labourers, certified women farmers, and members of farmers’ families.

This expansion aims to provide a state-backed accidental security net to these individuals. Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal announced that the scheme has been extended until March 31, 2031, with the government allocating Rs 200 crore for its implementation over the next five years.

Under the revised framework, eligible beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh in case of death or severe disability caused by accidents such as road mishaps, lightning strikes, snakebites, heatstroke, and attacks by wild animals.

The earlier scheme was largely restricted to two registered land-owning members of a family, leaving landless agricultural labourers and women working in fields vulnerable to financial distress following accidents. Jaiswal stated that the expansion was aimed at providing social security to agricultural workers who are equally important to the farming sector.

According to Jaiswal, land ownership documents or 7/12 extracts will not be mandatory for landless labourers. Gram Panchayats, agricultural officials, and village-level revenue authorities will be empowered to issue certificates confirming an individual’s status as an agricultural labourer.

The scheme will cover beneficiaries between 18 and 75 years of age. Aadhaar, ration cards, and school-leaving certificates can be used to establish family relationships where required.

The government has also replaced the earlier insurance-based mechanism with a direct benefit transfer system through the MahaDBT portal. After verification by local committees, assistance will be transferred directly from the state treasury to the nominee’s bank account, with the government aiming to settle claims within 30 days of filing.

Grievance redressal committees will function at both district and state levels. Applicants facing rejection or administrative hurdles can approach the MahaDBT helpdesk or block development offices.

To address low awareness and poor digital connectivity in rural areas, Gram Panchayats will display information about the scheme, and village-level offline helpdesks will assist workers with applications and digital uploads free of cost.

Jaiswal stated that the government’s objective is to ensure that no family of a farm worker is pushed into poverty because of an unforeseen workplace accident.

This expansion of the Gopinath Munde Scheme is a significant step towards providing social security to agricultural workers in Maharashtra, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people in the state.

The scheme's extension and expansion demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting the farming community and providing them with the necessary protection and assistance in case of accidents.

In conclusion, the expansion of the Gopinath Munde Scheme is a welcome move, and it is expected to bring relief to millions of agricultural workers and their families in Maharashtra.