Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB): Fast Overview Dashboard
1. The Bangla Shasya Bima Statutory Charter: State-Funded Universal Shield
In 2019, the Government of West Bengal withdrew from the central Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to institute a fully customized, state-sponsored agricultural safety net: the Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB) Scheme (বাংলা শস্য বীমা). Administered by the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, BSB was born from a fundamental critique of traditional crop insurance schemes: the burden of insurance premiums on economically vulnerable smallholders.
Under BSB, the Government of West Bengal makes a historic fiscal commitment: the state bears 100% of the insurance premium for all cereals, pulses, and oilseeds. Farmers do not pay a single paisa for insuring their Aman, Aus, or Boro paddy crops. Even for high-investment commercial crops like Potato and Sugarcane, the state subsidizes the vast majority of the premium, protecting Bengal's cultivators against unseasonal cyclones (like Amphan, Yaas, and Remal), drought spells, pest outbreaks, and erratic monsoons.
BSB works hand-in-hand with agricultural credit under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme and on-farm storage subsidies under Amar Fasal Amar Gola. Assess your comprehensive farm risk coverage with our Welfare Eligibility Checker Tool.
2. Crop Premium Structure: Zero Burden for Food & Oilseed Crops
The statutory rate table established by the Directorate of Agriculture outlines the premium sharing ratio between the farmer and the West Bengal State Government:
| Insured Crop Category | Representative Crops | Farmer's Premium Share | WB State Govt Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kharif Food Crops | Aman Paddy, Aus Paddy, Maize | 0% (Completely Free) | 100% Full Premium |
| Rabi Food Crops | Boro Paddy, Wheat, Gram, Lentil | 0% (Completely Free) | 100% Full Premium |
| Oilseeds & Pulses | Mustard, Til, Groundnut, Khesari | 0% (Completely Free) | 100% Full Premium |
| Commercial / Horticultural Crops | Potato (আলু), Sugarcane | Up to 4.85% (Token) | Remaining Balance Premium (~85%-90%) |
3. The 4 Statutory Stages of Crop Risk Covered Under BSB
BSB protects agricultural investments from the moment seeds are prepared until crops are dried post-harvest:
Prevented Sowing / Planting Risk
If adverse seasonal weather conditions (such as severe rainfall deficit or excessive flooding) prevent more than 75% of the cultivable area in an insured unit from being sown or transplanted, enrolled farmers receive up to 25% of the total sum insured as immediate indemnity.
Standing Crop Loss (Sowing to Harvesting)
Comprehensive risk coverage against non-preventable natural perils including drought, dry spells, widespread flood, inundation, wide-scale pest and disease attacks, landslides, natural fire, and cyclonic storm damage throughout the crop growth cycle.
Post-Harvest Losses (Up to 14 Days)
Coverage available for up to a maximum period of 14 days from harvesting for crops kept in 'cut and spread' condition in the open field for drying, against specific perils of cyclonic rains, unseasonal showers, and localized inundation.
Localized Calamities (Individual Survey)
Loss or damage resulting from the occurrence of identified localized risks such as hailstorms, landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods affecting isolated farms within the notified unit. Assessed via individual field survey within 72 hours.
4. Claim Settlement Mathematics: Threshold Yield vs. Actual Yield Formula
For widespread standing crop losses, claims are not determined by individual assertions, but through a scientific mathematical formula based on Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) conducted at the Gram Panchayat (GP) insurance unit level:
Statutory Indemnity Formula:
- Threshold Yield (TY): The benchmark historical average yield of the best 5 out of the last 7 years in that Gram Panchayat, multiplied by the statutory Indemnity Level (typically 80% or 90%).
- Actual Yield (AY): The average crop yield per hectare recorded during the current season through randomized Crop Cutting Experiments supervised by agriculture officers and satellite indices.
- Automated Credit: If Actual Yield falls below Threshold Yield, the percentage shortfall is computed automatically, and the corresponding claim is credited via PFMS DBT directly into every enrolled farmer's bank account in that GP!
5. Step-by-Step Online Guide: Downloading the BSB Insurance Certificate
Every cultivator can verify their insured acreage, sum insured, and policy certificate online on the official portal:
Visit banglashasyabima.net
Open banglashasyabima.net on your smartphone or desktop computer.
Click on 'Download Insurance Certificate'
On the navigation menu, select Insurance Certificate or Application Status.
Select Season & Enter Voter Card (EPIC) Number
Select Kharif (Aman/Aus) or Rabi (Boro/Potato/Mustard) along with the current academic year. Enter your 10-character Voter ID (EPIC) Number.
Download Digital Certificate & Review Coverage
Click Check Status. Your verified certificate appears showing your Policy Number, Bank Account Number, Insured Land Area (in Acres), Total Sum Insured (in ₹), and Claim Settlement Status.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do farmers in West Bengal have to pay any premium under Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB)?
No. For all food crops (Aman Paddy, Aus Paddy, Boro Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Pulses) and oilseeds (Mustard, Til, Groundnut), the Government of West Bengal pays 100% of the insurance premium on behalf of the farmers. Farmers do not pay a single rupee out of pocket. For commercial crops like Potato and Sugarcane, the state pays up to 80%–90% of the premium, with the farmer paying a minimal nominal share.
Are sharecroppers (Bhagchasi / Bargadar) eligible for Bangla Shasya Bima?
Yes. Recorded Bargadars (holding a barga porcha) and tenant farmers cultivating land under recorded or certified tenancy agreements are fully eligible to insure their crops under BSB, alongside land-owning cultivators and patta holders.
How is crop loss assessed under Bangla Shasya Bima?
Losses are evaluated through a scientific hybrid model combining Crop Cutting Experiments (CCE) conducted at the Gram Panchayat level, satellite remote-sensing imagery, and automated weather station data. For localized disasters like hailstorms or flash inundation, individual farm inspections are conducted by agriculture officials within 72 hours of loss intimation.
How can a farmer check their BSB application or insurance certificate online?
Visit banglashasyabima.net, click on 'Application Status' or 'Download Insurance Certificate', select the Season (Kharif or Rabi) and Year, enter your Voter Identity Card (EPIC) Number, and submit to view your policy certificate, insured acreage, sum insured, and claim settlement status.
What is the time window for reporting localized crop damage?
In the event of localized calamities such as hailstorms, sudden cyclonic inundation, or cloudburst, the farmer must notify the insurance company, the Block Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) office, or the toll-free helpline within 72 hours of the calamity occurrence.
Bangla Shasya Bima Official Grievance Redressal
For claim non-receipt, localized damage reporting within 72 hours, or certificate errors:
Block Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA Office)
Krishi Prayukti Sahayak (KPS) at Gram Panchayat Level