High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Bench at Aurangabad, Heard Writ Petition Challenging Recovery of Crop Insurance Dues as Land Revenue Under Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966. The Court Examined Whether Amounts Due Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna Could Be Recovered as Arrears of Land Revenue Under Section 2(19) of the MLR Code.

Writ petition and public interest litigation concerning crop insurance claims under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and recovery of alleged dues as arrears of land revenue.

Petitioner insurance company sought quashing of recovery notices/orders and declaration that full dues paid; State sought recovery of further amount; PIL petitioners sought direction to insurance company to pay balance with interest.

State officers issued notices under Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 to recover Rs 374,61,93,634 as arrears of land revenue, including freezing bank account.

Division Bench of Bombay High Court stayed the Collector's order dated 18.11.2022 by order dated 30.11.2022 while issuing notice in writ petition.

Whether officers of State have jurisdiction to recover alleged dues under PM Yojna as arrears of land revenue under Section 2(19) of Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 Whether petitioner insurance company paid full amount due to farmers under Revamped Operational Guidelines for localized calamity or only 50% Interpretation of Revamped Operational Guidelines clause 25.5.10 and crop calendar for Kharif 2021 soyabean crop

Petitioner: alleged amount not land revenue under Section 2(19), hence recovery notices without jurisdiction; paid Rs 374,61,93,634 in full satisfaction as per ROG; relied on actual harvesting start 17.09.2021 and joint sample survey. State: further payment equivalent to amount due under ROG; recovery as arrears under MLR Code. PIL petitioners: support State, sought direction for balance with interest.

One of the grounds raised on behalf of the petitioner – insurance company, pertains to lack of jurisdiction in the Officers of the respondent – State, in issuing the impugned communications and orders, on the basis that the alleged amount due cannot be recovered as arrears of the land revenue under the MLR Code. It is contended that the said amount is not covered under the definition of ‘land revenue’ under section 2(19) of the MLR Code and, hence, the impugned communications / orders are rendered without jurisdiction. The petitioner – insurance company asserts that on 17.09.2021, the actual harvesting season of Soyabean crop started in District – Osmanabad and it continued till 11.11.2021.

The Union of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna effective from Kharif 2016; Revamped Operational Guidelines were issued from Kharif 2020. The State of Maharashtra issued Government Resolution dated 29.06.2020 and executed a Memorandum of Understanding dated 27.07.2020 with the insurance company for District Osmanabad. During Kharif 2021, unseasonal rains occurred between 23.09.2021 and 10.10.2021, leading to localized calamity claims by farmers. A joint sample survey was conducted and signed on 27.10.2021. The insurance company disbursed Rs 374.61 crores to farmers in November/December 2021. The State initiated recovery proceedings under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, leading to a Collector's order dated 18.11.2022. The insurance company filed the writ petition; the Division Bench granted stay of the Collector's order on 30.11.2022. Civil Application No. 2222 of 2024 and Public Interest Litigation No. 38 of 2023 were connected. The Court reserved judgment on 31.07.2025 and pronounced it on 12.09.2025.

• Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966: Section 2(19)