Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday initiated the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) programme for the beneficiaries of the State Government’s much-hyped Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme at a massive farmers’ rally at Malatipatpur in Puri.
Nearly 12 lakh small and marginal farmers will get financial assistance worth Rs 5,000 each under the KALIA scheme from Friday onwards in the first phase.
Patnaik said farmers under KALIA scheme will get financial assistance of Rs 5000 on the day of Akshaya Tritiya for Kharif crop and Rs 5,000 for Rabi crop on Nuakhai.
“I want our food providers always remain happy. There problems will not be resolved with only one help. There should be a scheme under which they can avail help during every crop. So, KALIA scheme is here. You (farmers) will get assistance in six crops in next three years under the scheme. The amount will be deposited in your bank accounts directly,” said Patnaik.
Maintaining that no force can stop the scheme, Patnaik said the scheme targets to cover 92 per cent of small and marginal cultivators and landless farmers to provide them financial, livelihood and cultivation support.
The shortlisted beneficiaries were selected from among the 20.40 lakh farmers, list of which was available with the State Government earlier.
Financial assistance of Rs 25,000 for agricultural and livelihood activities in five phases apart, KALIA also assures interest-free crop loan up to Rs 50,000 and life insurance support to the farmers.
Before attending the mega event, Patnaik visited the Jagannath temple and had darshan of the sibling deities.
