Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to provide additional relief to farmers affected by hailstorms across the state. The package covers damage to agricultural, horticultural and sugarcane crops, along with short-term support for electricity bills and farm loans.
Farmers will receive an amount equal to the assistance already available under the prescribed disaster relief norms. This additional payment is intended to reduce the financial pressure caused by crop losses and help affected families continue their upcoming agricultural and horticultural activities.
Electricity bills to be deferred
The state government has decided to defer payment of electricity bills for affected farmers for October, November and December. The measure is aimed at lowering their immediate financial burden while they recover from the damage caused by hailstorms.
The relief applies to farmers identified as being affected by the hailstorm-related crop losses. The announcement does not specify the total number of beneficiaries or the overall financial value of the additional assistance.
Request planned for KCC loan relief
The government will also seek a 3-month deferment in repayment of Farmer Credit Card loans for affected farmers. A letter requesting the relief will be sent to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Unlike the additional crop assistance and electricity bill deferment, the KCC repayment extension remains a request to the Union government. The proposed letter is intended to provide affected farmers with more time to repay their loans.
Dhami said the state government was committed to protecting farmers’ interests and helping them overcome difficulties caused by natural disasters. He added that every possible step would be taken to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods and keep agricultural activities running.
The measures therefore combine immediate support with a proposed banking relief step. Farmers may receive extra compensation under the disaster relief framework and temporary relief from electricity payments, while the loan deferment will depend on the response to the Finance Ministry request.
Conclusion
The state’s announced response provides equal additional assistance for hail-damaged agricultural, horticultural and sugarcane crops, defers affected farmers’ October, November and December electricity bills, and seeks a 3-month KCC repayment deferment from the Union government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who will receive the additional assistance?
Farmers affected by hailstorm damage to agricultural, horticultural and sugarcane crops will receive the additional assistance.
Q. How much additional crop assistance has been announced?
The additional assistance will be equal to the amount available under the prescribed disaster relief norms.
Q. Which electricity bills will be deferred?
The payment of affected farmers’ electricity bills for October, November and December will be deferred.
Q. What relief is planned for Kisan Credit Card loans?
The state government will request a 3-month deferment in repayment of Kisan Credit Card loans for affected farmers.
Q. Has the KCC loan deferment been approved?
The government will send a request to the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The announcement does not confirm that the deferment has already been approved.
Q. Why has the government announced these measures?
The measures are intended to reduce the financial impact of hailstorm-related crop losses and help farmers continue their agricultural and horticultural activities.
