Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday released Rs 877 crore to the bank accounts of over 43 lakh farmers under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme on the occasion of Utkal Dibasa.
The financial assistance was transferred to the bank accounts of the farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The government said it will help farmers start cultivation activities in the current Kharif season.
However, the Jharsuguda farmers won’t get the instalment as the model code of conduct is in force in the district for the upcoming bypoll. They will receive the money after the bypoll is over, it was learnt.
The KALIA scheme was announced in December 2018 with an objective to provide financial support to farmers to carry on their agricultural activities. The main objective is to wean away farmers from depending on money lenders.
Under the scheme, a beneficiary gets Rs 4,000 in two instalments.