(Representative image): Hailstorm-affected farmers will receive additional financial assistance equal to the amount they are entitled to under the prescribed disaster relief norms.

NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday announced relief measures for farmers affected by hailstorms and directed concerned officials to take necessary action.Under this initiative, financial assistance equivalent to the amount prescribed under existing disaster relief norms will be provided for losses incurred by agricultural, horticultural, and sugarcane crops. Additionally, steps will be taken to defer electricity bill payments for affected farmers and provide relief regarding Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan repayments.“The state government is committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers and helping them overcome hardships caused by natural disasters. Every possible measure would be taken to secure farmers’ livelihoods and agricultural activities,” Dhami said.Hailstorm-affected farmers will receive additional financial assistance equal to the amount they are entitled to under the prescribed disaster relief norms.To provide immediate financial relief to the affected farmers, the state government has also decided to defer the payment of electricity bills for the months of October, November, and December.

The state government on Wednesday said that this will reduce the immediate financial burden on the affected farmers and offer some respite as they recover from crop losses.The government is also making efforts to provide relief to hailstorm-affected farmers regarding loan repayments, and a letter will be sent to the Union Ministry of Finance requesting a three-month deferral on Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan repayments.Earlier on Wednesday, the chief minister granted financial approval of Rs 70 crore for various development schemes, and construction works in Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, Champawat, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, Almora and Uttarkashi districts.