“21. As has been submitted by respondent nos. 3 and 4, the Crop Cutting Experiments are conducted by the State Government machinery and average yield data is furnished by them and the claims are settled on the basis of shortfall in the yield recorded on the Area Approach basis in the notified areas for the notified crops. As stated by respondent Nos. 1, 5, 6 and 7 the system of assessing loss on the basis of Crop Cutting Experiment, is in vogue in Maharashtra since 1944-1945. It is developed by National Sample Survey Organization, New Delhi. As submitted by these respondents, the said methodology of crop estimation is time tested and well established. According to the said method, minimum ten samples are considered per circle and 16 per Taluka. The number of crop cutting experiments are planned in proportion of the area under crop and the number may be higher where substantial area under crop is available and where area under crop is minimal, only six samples are being taken. The selection of the villages, survey number and the composition of the plot in the field is decided by using random tables to obtain unbiased estimates of average yield. As further stated by these respondents in their affidavit in reply, the plot selected is harvested in presence of village committee comprising of Agricultural Extension Officer, Revenue Circle Inspector or Gram Sewak, Sarpanch and Police Patil of the village concerned and the representatives of the farmers are also included so as to maintain transparency. In addition to the above, supervision of two villages each at the harvesting stage is allotted to the responsible officers like Deputy Collector, Tehsildar, Agricultural Development Officer, Block Development Officer, etc. and based on this, the average yield is being assessed and if it is found to be less than the threshold yield, the compensation is being awarded to the farmers in the said area. The respondents have clarified that the method of awarding the crop insurance claim cannot be equated with other classes of non life insurance where individual is the basis. The respondents have stated that the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme is aimed at protecting interests of large Section of the notified area where the losses occur due to natural perils and such losses are reflected in the yield arrived at by conducting crop cutting experiments. The respondents have further clarified that if an individual farmer has suffered crop loss but the circle insurance unit as a whole does not reveal such losses and such losses are not reflected in the yield
