The National Horticulture Board (NHB) has issued an important clarification on subsidy claims following recent changes in its regulations and farmers’ protests on September 15. NHB Managing Director Kapil Meena (IAS) addressed concerns over pending subsidy claims, particularly among farmers involved in polyhouse and other horticulture projects.
The clarification is expected to ease concerns among farmers who had already started projects, taken loans or made substantial investments based on the earlier subsidy rules.
Valid Old Claims to Be Considered Under Previous Rules
According to the NHB clarification, the revised subsidy guidelines will not be applied retrospectively to legitimate old claims. Farmers whose cases meet the required conditions and whose projects have already been approved or initiated will not have their subsidy reduced because of the new rules.
This means eligible farmers with valid pending claims can continue to expect their cases to be processed under the provisions that were applicable when their projects were taken up.
Relief for Eligible Polyhouse and Horticulture Projects
The Board has stated that genuine and eligible cases will be examined and processed according to the previous guidelines and regulations. The clarification is particularly relevant for farmers who made financial commitments or borrowed money after relying on the earlier subsidy provisions.
The move provides clarity for those concerned that the revised rules could affect subsidies linked to projects that were already approved or underway.
Cases Involving Serious Violations Excluded
The relief, however, does not cover cases involving serious violations. NHB has specified that the earlier rules will not apply where there are issues such as repeated subsidy claims from the same family or misuse of subsidy benefits.
Apart from such cases, valid claims will be handled under the previous policy, according to the clarification.
NHB Asks Authorities to Inform Farmers
NHB Managing Director Kapil Meena (IAS) has asked the concerned authorities and representatives to communicate the clarification to farmers. The objective is to remove confusion and prevent misunderstandings regarding the processing of pending subsidy claims.
For farmers with legitimate old claims, the clarification provides greater certainty about how their applications will be considered under the existing subsidy framework.