The Union Minister of Agriculture has accorded administrative approval for the implementation of a Pilot Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBICS) for rabi 2012-13 season. As per the decision, Agriculture Insurance Company (AIC) of India Limited will be the implementing agency for the scheme for tomato crop in Solan and potato crop in Kangra and Una. Weather perils such as frost, chill, low or high mean temperature, wind, scanty or excess rainfall, which are likely to cause adverse weather incidence leading to crops loss will also be covered under the scheme. Premium rates for tomato and potato crops have been calculated using the standard premium methodology and charged at the rate of 12 per cent for both crops. As far as premium sharing and subsidy was concerned, 50 per cent of the total premium would be payable by insured cultivator and the balance by the Centre and the state by half. Lead banks, co-operative banks, AIC of India Ltd, which are the implementing agencies, will take necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the scheme on the principle of ‘Area Approach’ in the selected notified Reference Unit Areas. The cut-off dates for accepting the crop insurance proposal from non-loanee farmers is March 10, 2013, and for loanee farmers March 5, 2013, for the tomato crop. For the potato crop the cut off date for loanee farmers is January 5, 2013, and for non-loanee farmers it is December 31. No insurance coverage was allowed once this date was over. The banks will ensure that the claims are released to beneficiaries within a fortnight from the date of receipt from the implementing agency.