Bihar farm subsidy deadline: RJD MP Sudhakar Singh writes to CM Choudhary
Synopsis
RJD MP Sudhakar Singh has written to Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary demanding an extension of the Agricultural Input Subsidy application deadline, citing a glitch-ridden portal and a missing hailstorm category — warning that thousands of flood and hailstorm-hit farmers could be locked out of state relief.
Key Takeaways
RJD MP Sudhakar Singh wrote to Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary on 22 October 2026 demanding an extension of the Agricultural Input Subsidy application deadline.
Excessive rainfall in September and dam sluice-gate openings caused flooding across multiple Bihar districts; separate hailstorms damaged standing crops.
Singh alleged technical glitches in the online portal are preventing farmers from submitting applications within the current seven-day window .
The portal reportedly lacks a specific option for reporting hailstorm-related crop losses , leaving affected farmers unable to accurately record damage.
Singh urged the CM to fix portal issues, add a hailstorm damage category, and extend the deadline to ensure all eligible farmers can access relief.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lok Sabha MP and national president of the party's farmers' wing, Sudhakar Singh, has written to Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 22 October 2026, demanding an extension of the application deadline under the state's Agricultural Input Subsidy scheme. Singh cited technical glitches in the online portal and the absence of a category to report hailstorm-related crop damage as key barriers preventing affected farmers from accessing relief.
Background: Floods and Hailstorms Hit Bihar Farmers Hard
According to Singh's letter, excessive rainfall in September, compounded by the opening of sluice gates at multiple river dams, triggered a sudden rise in water levels and widespread flooding across several districts. Separate hailstorm incidents in different parts of the state caused extensive damage to standing crops, resulting in significant financial losses for farming households. The Bihar state government had subsequently invited online applications to channel financial assistance to farmers hit by these natural disasters.
Portal Glitches and a Seven-Day Window
Singh alleged that persistent technical problems with the application portal were preventing large numbers of farmers from successfully submitting their forms. He argued that the seven-day application window was insufficient under normal circumstances — and wholly inadequate given the ongoing technical difficulties faced by applicants. Unless the deadline was extended, he warned, many eligible farmers stood to be deprived of scheme benefits entirely.
Missing Hailstorm Category on the Portal
A separate concern flagged in the letter relates to the portal's design: Singh pointed out that there is no specific provision for farmers to report crop losses caused by hailstorms. As a result, affected farmers are unable to accurately record the nature and extent of their damage, potentially creating barriers to receiving government assistance — even after technical issues are resolved.
What the RJD MP Has Demanded
Singh urged Chief Minister Choudhary to issue immediate instructions to the concerned department to resolve the technical problems and ensure the application process is accessible, transparent, and efficient. He also demanded that a dedicated option for hailstorm-related crop damage be incorporated into the portal, and that the application deadline be extended to give all eligible farmers adequate time to file their claims. He stressed that both measures are necessary for flood, rain, and hailstorm-hit farmers to access the financial assistance the scheme is designed to provide.
The letter adds political pressure on the Bihar government to act swiftly, with the farming community in multiple districts still counting the cost of seasonal weather damage.
Point of View
Leaving farmers who face compound or atypical events without recourse. Bihar's agriculture-dependent economy, with a large share of smallholders, can ill afford administrative bottlenecks that effectively nullify state-announced relief.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has RJD MP Sudhakar Singh written to Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary?
Sudhakar Singh wrote to Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on 22 October 2026 seeking an extension of the deadline for the Agricultural Input Subsidy scheme, citing technical glitches on the application portal and the absence of a hailstorm crop damage category. He warned that without intervention, eligible farmers could be denied state relief.
What natural disasters have affected Bihar farmers recently?
Excessive rainfall in September and the opening of sluice gates at multiple river dams caused flooding in several Bihar districts. Hailstorms in different parts of the state also damaged standing crops, resulting in significant financial losses for farming households.
What is the Agricultural Input Subsidy scheme in Bihar?
It is a state government scheme that provides financial assistance to farmers affected by natural disasters such as floods, excessive rainfall, and hailstorms. The government invites online applications from affected farmers to channel the subsidy support.
What specific changes has Sudhakar Singh demanded to the portal?
Singh has demanded that technical issues preventing form submission be resolved immediately, that a dedicated option for reporting hailstorm-related crop damage be added to the portal, and that the application deadline be extended beyond the current seven-day window so all eligible farmers have adequate time to apply.
Why is the missing hailstorm category on the portal a concern?
Without a specific hailstorm damage option, farmers whose crops were destroyed by hailstorms cannot accurately record the nature or extent of their losses. This creates a risk that their applications will be incomplete or ineligible, effectively barring them from receiving the government assistance the scheme is designed to provide.
