India
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NHB suspends 2 horticulture subsidy schemes for a month
The Indian Express··8 Sept
The National Horticulture Board suspended fresh Grant of Clearance applications under two schemes for one month from September 4. The pause covers commercial horticulture and cold storage subsidy schemes. Pending filings continue under revised guidelines. Union minister Bhagirath Choudhary earlier returned Rs 99 lakh after an Express report. Rules from August 21 bar ministers and government employees from NHB aid.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Farmers cannot file new GoC applications online for Scheme 1 or Scheme 2 during the month.
- Credit-linked NHB subsidy still requires a GoC once fresh filings resume.
- Cases already submitted before September 4 keep moving under the revised rules.
What's Happening
- An NHB circular dated September 3 freezes new GoC intake from September 4 for one month.
- Scheme 1 covers commercial horticulture production and post-harvest management.
- Scheme 2 covers capital investment subsidy for cold storage construction and modernisation.
Why Applications Paused
- The Express reported Choudhary and relatives of secretary Naresh Pal Gangwar took Scheme 1 aid for cucumber farms.
- Choudhary returned Rs 99 lakh after that report, and guidelines changed from August 21.
- The revised family definition and bar on office-holders followed the subsidy disclosures.
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