Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has reportedly decided to merge its Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme with the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) yojana, and for the same it has made some changes in the KALIA guidelines. Besides, the integration plan of the government has already got the approval of the State Cabinet.
As per the new guidelines, instead of Rs 10,000 under the KALIA scheme, the State government will now give Rs 4000 to farmers while the remaining Rs 6,000 will be given to farmers under the PM-KISAN yojana. Besides, as there is no provision for 14.7 lakh landless farmers in PM-KISAN scheme, they will continue to get Rs 12,000 per year under the KALIA scheme.
Though the ruling-BJD MPs had proposed for such a proposal in both the Houses of the Parliament after the general elections, neither the State ministers nor the concerned officials are presently divulging any details related to decision of merging the schemes.
BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab welcomed the decision and said, "Merger of both the KALIA and the PM-KISAN yojana will be in the interest of farmers."
As per Agriculture Minister Arun Sahoo's reply in the State Assembly, Odisha government has disbursed the first instalment of around Rs 2552 crores to 52.05 lakh farmers. The government had promised to pay the next instalment by November but only 10 lakh farmers have received it so far.
Meanwhile, it is believed that Odisha government has taken such a decision to ease its financial burden. "The announcement of Odisha government to give assistance to farmers under KALIA scheme was an election stunt. The government had no money to give to farmers and hence, it was quite clear from the beginning that they will merge the scheme with the PM-KISAN yojana," said Odisha BJP spokesperson, Golak Mohapatra.
Such big claims were made by the BJD ahead of elections only to win the polls, said senior Congress leader and AICC secretary, Sarat Sahu adding, "The State government is now unable to pay the money (2nd instalment of KALIA)."
Speaking on the issue, BJD MLA Prasant Muduli said that there is no issue in the merger as it will benefit the farmers and also bring transparency in identification of beneficiaries.