Early on snowfall declared natural calamity

A big relief to those agriculturists and orchardists who suffered losses on account of the unexpected snowfall of November 3/4 as the State Government declared it as a natural calamity which means the affected people would be entitled to double the amount of relief under the norms of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The decision to this effect, ie; declaring the snowfall as a natural calamity was taken by the State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Response Fund headed by Chief Secretary wherein stock of the situation was taken in terms of damages and losses due to the untimely snowfall in early November this year. The order stands notified with intent to provide succour in the shape of financial assistance to the affected farmers. The early snowfall has not only affected the returns this year but fears were expressed for the next two to three years as well. Apples have been categorised as a perennial crop, given the fact that it takes many years for fruition and per hectare quantum of relief stands revised from the existing Rs.18000 to Rs.36000 for perennial crop like apples. An amount of Rs.10 crore has been decided to be kept at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners as an immediate measure for disbursement of cash relief among the bona fide affected persons as per SDRF norms. We urge the authorities to expedite payment of compensation as per revised norms in a way that the process becomes hassles free but of course, only after ascertaining the extent of damage and after proper verification of the beneficiaries.

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