Jeypore: BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday promised to give two installments (Rs 10,000) of KALIA assistance at one go to over 25 lakh more farmers on day-one of Government formation.
Announcing the first point of the BJD manifesto at an election rally in Jeypore in Koraput district, Patnaik said that nearly 40 lakh farmers have been benefitted from the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme.
“A list of over 25 lakh more farmers have been prepared. They will be provided two instalments (Rs 10,000) at one go under the KALIA scheme on day-one of Government formation,” said Patnaik.
Though the State Government had fixed April 1 as the date of disbursement of money in the second phase, but it has been stopped by the CEO.
The ruling BJD alleged that Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar is not allowing the State Government to disburse financial assistance citing poll code violation under the pressure of BJP. Earlier, the CEO had said that an ongoing programme could not be stopped or discontinued when the model code of conduct was in force.
The State Government had launched the KALIA scheme to provide support and assistance to farmers last year. In the past few months, around 37 lakh farmers have been benefited by it.
Addressing the election rally, Patnaik also raised the Polavaram dam issue and stoppage of schemes for KBK and scholarship fund for SC/ST students. He again asked where were the heavyweight BJP leaders, who are now visiting Odisha during election time, when natural disasters struck the State.
