Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNO): The government on Thursday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that there is currently no proposal to waive Kissan Credit Card (KCC) loans for farmers affected by recent floods and highway blockades.
In a written reply to questions raised by two legislators, the Agriculture Production Department, per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that although farmers suffered heavy losses due to floods, horticulture damage, livestock loss and infrastructure impact, the administration has not considered a loan waiver.
“There is no proposal with the government for Kisan Credit Card loan waiver,” the reply stated.
The government, however, confirmed that an assessment of agricultural and allied sector losses amounting to Rs 209.21 crore has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs for consideration.
It added that Rs 643.93 lakh has already been disbursed as relief to affected farmers under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), including ₹465.74 lakh in Kashmir division and Rs 178.19 lakh in Jammu division.
To address crop loss claims, the department said Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) are being carried out, after which compensation will be directly credited to farmers' bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
The government assured that necessary assistance is being extended to farmers in accordance with existing relief guidelines—(KNO)