Uttarakhand to Suspend Electricity Bills, Seek KCC Loan Deferment for Hailstorm-Hit Farmers
CM Dhami has ordered a three-month electricity bill suspension and additional disaster relief for farmers hit by the recent hailstorm, and will ask the Centre to defer their KCC loan repayments.
Current Summary
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the state administration to provide relief to farmers affected by the recent hailstorm. The government will suspend collection of electricity bills for October, November and December from affected farmers, and will write to the Union Finance Ministry requesting a three-month deferment of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan repayments for them. Affected farmers will also receive additional financial assistance equal to the amount already provided under existing disaster relief standards, on top of standard compensation. Dhami said the measures are meant to help farmers facing financial hardship from crop damage continue their agricultural and horticultural activities.
What We Know
- CM Dhami directed suspension of electricity bill collection for October, November and December for hailstorm-affected farmers.
- The state will request the Union Finance Ministry to defer KCC loan repayments for affected farmers by three months.
- Affected farmers will get additional assistance equal to the amount already provided under existing disaster relief standards.
- The directive was issued to the state administration on Wednesday.
What Is Still Unclear
- The exact number of farmers or districts covered by the hailstorm damage.
- The total financial outlay of the relief package.
- Implementation timeline for the electricity bill suspension and loan deferment request.
What Changed
- 14 Oct, 02:32 pmSignal detected: Uttarakhand to Suspend Electricity Bills, Seek KCC Loan Deferment for Hailstorm-Hit Farmers
Background
The order follows a recent spell of hailstorms in parts of Uttarakhand that damaged standing crops.