Under the scheme, each farmer will receive Rs 2,000. The amount will be credited to the farmers' bank accounts directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
The Odisha government had earlier announced that the eligible farmers will receive financial assistance of Rs 2,000 twice a year during the next three years on the occasions of Akshaya Tritiya and Nuakhai.
Subsequently, Odisha farmers had received financial assistance under the KALIA scheme on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya in May.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had then said that the fund was deposited in the bank account of around 40 lakh small and marginal farmers of all districts except Jharsuguda where the model code of conduct was in force in view of by-poll to Brajrajngar Assembly seat.
Stating development of agriculture and farmers' welfare as the most important programmes of his government, the CM had also said a budgetary provision of Rs 20,000 crore was made for this sector in this financial year.
The financial assistance will be transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in a special programme at 5 pm tomorrow. About Rs 800 crore will be disbursed and more than 40 lakh small and marginal farmers are expected to receive the financial assistance.
Under Kalia scheme, eligible farmers are entitled to get Rs 4000 financial assistance per year in two installments. While Rs 2,000 is provided for Rabi crop, Rs 2,000 is given for Kharif season crop.
Giving a go ahead to the farmer welfare scheme, the cabinet approved a sum of Rs 5,933 crore to be spent on the scheme in the next three years. Each farmer family in Odisha under the ambit of ‘Kalia’ will be benefitted in the next three years, said the government.
The cabinet also approved a proposal to spend Rs 255 Crore on development of micro-irrigation projects and increasing income of the farmers.
Earlier, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on September 21, 2021 released financial assistance of Rs 742.58 crore under the KALIA scheme to farmers on the auspicious occasion of ‘Nuakhai’. The assistance was released to over 37.12 lakh small and marginal farmers across the State for Rabi crop who received an assistance of Rs 2,000 in their bank accounts.
Pertinent to mention here that the State government had identified 1,04,076 ineligible beneficiaries of the KALIA scheme in February 2021.
The State Government had launched the scheme in 2019 to provide financial assistance to farmers for encouraging cultivation and associated activities. The programme covers about 92 per cent of the State's cultivators and almost all landless farmers.
Congress has alleged that the State government is using the fund to gain votes during the general elections and termed it anti-constitutional.
"The contingency fund is meant to be used in case of a natural disasters and it can't be used for anything else. But they are not following the Constitutional guidelines and going against the Supreme Court," senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said.
Similarly, BJP also slammed the State government and called it a political gimmick. "General elections are hardly 100 days away. This is just a political gimmick by the State government, "Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Responding to the allegations of the Opposition parties, senior ruling party leader and Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said, "The State government is spending its own money. Why do they have a problem?"
Meanwhile, the State government is gearing up to transfer the cash benefits to the farmers under the KALIA scheme by January 25. After the receipt of application in the first phase ended on January 15, a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was held today to discuss the modalities of the cash benefits transfer.
Farmers will get cash benefits under the KALIA scheme on January 25, and the process will be officially kicked off by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during a farmers' convention at Malatipatpur village in Puri. According to sources, nearly 1 lakh farmers are expected to join the convention.
"Chief Minister will attend the farmers' convention on January 25 which will be attended by 1 lakh farmers," Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty said.
On the other hand, Congress has alleged that CM Naveen has deliberately scheduled the program on the same day when Congress President Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Bhubaneswar to address a public rally.
"Naveen babu is a copy master but this time Congress will be ahead of BJD," Congress MLA, Debendra Sharma said.
The first phase of 'green form' application process has ended and nearly 60 lakh farmers have submitted applications. During inspection, almost 1 lakh applications have been rejected, informed sources.
"We have received nearly 60 lakh green forms. The first beneficiary list will be finalised by January 21 and funds will be disbursed on January 25," Kumar said adding that all farmers will be covered in three phases.
Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing a gathering on the opening day of the 5-day farmers’ convention, Krushi Odisha-2019 in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said that the second phase of registration for KALIA scheme will begin from January 25 and will continue till February 5.
"KALIA is an ideal scheme not only for Odisha but for the entire nation. It will open new doors of development. It is the largest scheme in the State with an expenditure of Rs 10,000 cr," CM Naveen said.
While the first phase registration under KALIA scheme will end today, the second phase will begin from January 25 and continue till February 5.
CM Naveen added that KALIA scheme will benefit small farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers of the State.
The 5-day Krushi Odisha-2019 inaugurated today focuses on development of a composite farming system to increase the income of small and marginal farmers and boost employment of agricultural labourers. Many farmers from across the State will also be felicitated during the programme which will continue till January 19. Earlier on January 11, the CM had unveiled the mascot for Krushi Odisha-2019.
While CM Naveen claimed that 32 lakh farmer families will be benefitted by scheme, Odisha Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy, while quoting a 2010-11 survey in the Odisha Assembly on April 17, had said that that the total number of farmer families in Odisha is 46,67, 466. The number goes up to 67, 39,993 if agricultural labourers are included.
Such discrepancies in the number of beneficiaries are raising doubts over inclusion of all the eligible ones in the scheme.
“I don’t remember what I had said in the Assembly during the last session, but the total number of farmer families is 32 lakh,” Pradeep Maharathy said.
While the Nava Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS) which is heading the ongoing farmers’ agitation dubbed the KALIA scheme as old wine in new bottle, BJP has also slammed the State government over the scheme.
“The State government is going to present an old dress in a new packet. They are attempting to divert the attention from price, prestige and pension issues,” NNKS coordinator Akshay Kumar said.
On the other hand, BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, “KALIA scheme is a false promise ahead of the general elections. It will be difficult for the government to provide the benefits if they don’t have a list of beneficiaries.”
Similarly, AICC Secretary Sarat Rout said, “There is no budgetary provision for the scheme. This is just a political gimmick ahead of the elections next year.”
At a presser in Bhubaneswar today, Odisha Congress media cell chief, Satya Prakash Nayak alleged that the printing of banners, posters, leaflets and stickers for the KALIA Scheme were done without signing of tender agreements.
"After signing the tender agreements, the printing should take place, but it started much before the stipulated deadline," Nayak said.
He further alleged that such lapses have resulted in financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 15 crore and demanded a high-level probe into the matter.
On the other hand, Odisha BJP vice president Samir Mohanty alleged that though the state government is claiming that the KALIA scheme is for the benefit of farmers, it is being used as a mechanism to funnel funds to party workers.
"Under the scheme the beneficiaries are being chosen based on party affiliation and the sharecroppers in the state are also being ignored," Mohanty said.
Mohanty further alleged that the scheme is only a political gimmick of the state government to hoodwink people ahead of the upcoming general elections.
Refuting such allegations the ruling-BJD said that the Opposition parties are getting envious over the popularity of the scheme.
"The allegations of the Opposition are baseless. We would not have received 10 lakh enrollment forms, had the scheme not been popular," Senior BJD leader and Odisha Finance Minister, Sashi Bhusan Behera said.
"Those who are criticizing the scheme are exposing their cheap politics. If they analyse the popularity of the scheme they will not make such statements."
“As the forms are not available at the panchayat office, we bought them at Rs 10, Rs 15 and Rs 20,” said a resident of Soro.
The district collector informed that the Khaira BDO has filed an FIR against the person involved and a probe has been initiated. “An FIR has been lodged at the concerned police station and I have personally spoken with the SP over phone to immediately arrest the persons involved,” Balasore Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout said.
Earlier on Monday tension prevailed in different parts of the State owing to irregularities in distribution of enrolment forms for the KALIA scheme. Protests and violence were triggered by the rush among people to get themselves enrolled in the scheme which promises cash benefits to beneficiaries in areas of agriculture and other allied activities.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 1 had launched the ‘Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation’ (KALIA) scheme at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
In the meantime, Odisha Chief Minister has issued direction to the concerned authorities to extend the deadline for submission of application forms for enrolment in KALIA Scheme till January 15.
"Money will be directly credited to the bank accounts of nearly 12.4 lakh farmers who are having regular transactions with us right from selling paddy, purchasing seeds and urea. Besides, the farmers who have recently applied under the KALIA scheme will also get assistance by January 26 after necessary verfications by concerned officers," said Patro.
District collectors have been asked for the verfication of the applications following which the applicants will also get the assistance by January 26, he said, adding, "BJP too has praised the KALIA scheme."
The State government has earmarked Rs 10,180 crore for the KALIA scheme in 3 years. The scheme aims at providing financial, livelihood, cultivation and insurance support to small, marginal and landless farmers.
Earlier, Odisha Congress had alleged that the printing of banners, posters, leaflets and stickers for the KALIA scheme were done without tender agreements which resulted in financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 15 crore. The party even has demanded a high-level probe into the matter.
Similarly, the State BJP unit alleged that though the state government is claiming that the KALIA scheme is for the benefit of farmers, it is being used as a mechanism to distribute funds to party workers.
He alleged that the Odisha government has no intention to help farmers. KALIA scheme is an attempt of the Naveen government to win votes. "They (ruling-BJD) had promised bonus for farmers and irrigation of 10 lakh hectare of land but nothing happened. Besides, the government's mismanagement made farmers vulnerable to pest menace and several hectares of crops destroyed by Brown Plant Hoppers (chakada). The people, who have always cheated farmers, have now taken the help of KALIA (Lord Jagannath). The government lacks proper plan for the scheme, rather it's just a new plan to woo voters," the Union Minister said.
He also said Centre's Ujjwala Yojana has so far reached 35 lakh women in Odisha and there is a target to extend the benefit to 10 lakh more beneficiaries in next three months in the State.
The Petroleum minister further alleged that the Odisha government is jealous of Central schemes and said: "The State government seems to have adopted a policy that neither will they do good for people nor will they let others do."
Responding to Pradhan's allegations, State Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said KALIA scheme will help actual farmers, including marginal and sharecroppers; the scheme will also help wipe out the regular demands of loan waiver as farmers can get regular assistance.
[caption id="attachment_258128" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Odisha Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera (File Pic)[/caption]
"Opposition parties are indulged in spreading false rumours related to the KALIA scheme out of fear," said Behera.
On the other hand, OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik alleged that Odisha CM is trying to fool farmers through the KALIA scheme as the general elections are barely four months away.
[caption id="attachment_343045" align="alignnone" width="750"] Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) chief Niranjan Patnaik[/caption]
"In what ways can KALIA scheme be comparable with the bonus scheme that we have promised? Naveen babu has himself told that loan waiver will lead to a massive crunch in the State economy. So, how many times has he waived off loan of farmers in his 19-years of rule?... The scheme is not a new one, the State government is just fooling farmers again as the general elections are round the corner," said Patnaik.
“I release the funds for 12 lakh farmers of the State. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I start the KALIA Yatra from Puri today and it cannot be stopped by anybody,” said Naveen while releasing the benefits.
Highlighting that Kalia scheme will be a milestone in Odisha’s economic development, Naveen stated that “The scheme will boost agriculture and improve the condition of the farmers. Kalia will be a torchbearer for the entire nation.”
On the other hand, political experts and intellectuals believe that Kalia scheme may make or break BJD’s prospects in 2019 elections as the implementation of the scheme will pose a challenge for the ruling party.
“Kalia scheme is an ambitious scheme but its proper implementation is necessary,” said senior journalist and politics expert, Prasanna Mohanty while questioning "What hindered Naveen-government for 18 long years from thinking about the farmers of Odisha."
According to reports, farmer N Prakash Reddy of Pattapur village under Sanakhemundi block in Ganjam district was lying dead close to his farmland today.
Sources said Reddy had gone to his agricultural land Tuesday morning to sell his 11 sacks of paddy in the market, but when he did not return home till late night, his family members started searching for him. After a frantic search, he was found dead in a nearby farmland this morning.
Although the exact reason behind Reddy's death is yet to be ascertained, his family members alleged that he committed suicide by consuming poison.
They informed that he had taken Rs 50,000 loan from money lenders for cultivating his 1 acre land. However, he suffered massive crop failure and was under immense mental duress. Unable to bear the trauma, he took the extreme step, they said.
However, police and district administration officials are yet to respond on the issue.
In a similar incident on Sunday, a debt-ridden farmer of Samasingha village under Kolabira block in Jharsuguda district reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself with a rope inside his house. The deceased Yudhistir Mallik (48) was a sharecropper.
As per Cooperation department secretary, Krishan Kumar, monetary assistance will be directly credited to the bank accounts of nearly 12.45 lakh beneficiaries in the first phase tomorrow. However, Minister SN Patro has been quoting contradictory numbers ranging from 2.4 lakh farmers to sometimes 22 lakh beneficiaries.
“The beneficiary list has been finalised and nearly 12.45 lakh farmers will get monetary assistance that will be directly transferred to their bank accounts tomorrow.
The second phase list will be finalised by February 10 and final list will be published subsequently,” said Kumar.
“CM Naveen Patnaik will give away the benefits to over 2 lakh farmers who will congregate in Puri, while the total number of beneficiaries of the scheme is 22 lakh,” said Patro.
More confusion crept up after Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera claimed that monetary assistance will be deposited in the bank accounts of farmers on January 26.
“On Republic Day, monetary assistance under KALIA will be disbursed in the first phase,” said Behera.
Odisha government has drawn elaborate measures for the roll out of the KALIA scheme during a mega event at Malatipatpur in Puri tomorrow.
The ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash’ yojana, which was launched in March 2018, ended today while Rs 1,454 crore has been earmarked for nearly 62, 857 projects in 314 blocks of the State. This is not the first scheme as Odisha government has announced Rs 10,180 crore-KALIA scheme, Rs 450 crore-Biju Yuva Bahini, Rs 1200 crore-Biju Swastha Kalyan Yojana while earmarking Rs 220 crore for its own Food Security programme and Rs 54 lakh for disbursal of mobile phones and seed money to 300 women SSGs.
It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera in the Odisha Assembly had informed that Odisha’s debt burden will reach Rs 91,943 crore by the end of the current financial year.
“There is no dearth of funds for welfare schemes. Our debt is in line with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management guidelines,” said Behera.
However, opposition parties have trained their guns on the State government alleging that the Odisha government is rolling schemes with complete disregard to financial discipline and in view of the upcoming elections.
“If Odisha government goes for additional borrowings, then the total debt will shoot up further,” said senior journalist, Dilip Satpathy.
Odisha BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said that Odisha will certainly face problems due to the rising debt burden.
Congress MLA Bibhu Prasad Tarai questioned Odisha government’s intention and stated it is not clear whether it wants to usher in development or lead the state to bankruptcy.
Tension prevailed at Alisahi panchayat office under Astarang block of Puri district following non-availability of enrolment forms today. The locals at Gopinathpur in Balasore district also locked up a lady revenue inspector (RI) for allegedly arriving late for distributing the forms today.
In Remuna block of Balasore, agitated farmers alleged that forms are being distributed on party-affiliation basis. In Jagatsinghpur, several people staged a road blockade at Eradanga while tension also prevailed at Ichapur panchayat in Balikuda block. In an unfortunate incident, one person was reportedly stabbed in Goda Panchayat under Ersama Block of Jagatsinghpur during distribution of enrolment forms.
There was also utter confusion among several people regarding filling up the forms particularly among landless and sharecroppers, as the form sought house and land details. Moreover, lack of acknowledgement tokens against receipt of forms triggered apprehension and confusion among the applicants over the legitimacy of the process.
Opposition parties slammed Odisha government’s move claiming it to be a political ploy to disburse money to party activists ahead of the crucial polls in the State. BJP Krushak Morcha president Surath Biswal stated, “The scheme has been launched to benefit and appease BJD men.”
Agriculture Minister Shashi Bhusan Behera on the other hand refuted the allegations levelled by BJP and the Congress. “The opposition parties are coming up with such allegations for political gains. Those coming to get enrolment forms are farmers and not any party activists or workers,” said Behera.
It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 1 had launched the ‘Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation’ (KALIA) scheme at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
At a presser held today, NNKS coordinator Askhya Kumar alleged that the KALIA scheme is like old dress in new packing and an attempt of the State government to woo the farmers. Similarly, the State government is trying to avoid the basic issues of the farmers including price, pension and farm loan waiver.
Moreover, the agriculture minister himself cannot understand the contents of the KALIA scheme, alleged Kumar.
“The same livelihood support in NABARD and MGNREGS has now been prepared by the State government. It is not a new scheme rather an attempt to divert from the issue of price, pension and farm loan waiver,” said Kumar.
As per the KALIA scheme, the government has decided to provide small and marginal farmers financial support of Rs 10,000 per year at the rate of Rs 5000 each for Kharif and Rabi seasons. Over 30 lakh farmers will be benefitted for purchasing pesticides and seeds through this scheme.
Secondly, livelihood support for landless households at Rs 12,500 per each family will also be ensured through this scheme. Landless farmers can avail any one of the several livelihood options like small goat rearing unit, dual purpose low input technology bird unit, duckery unit, fishery kit, mushroom cultivation or bee keeping.
“Nearly 92 per cent farmers in the State will benefit from the scheme. It is a historic decision taken by CM Naveen Patnaik,” said agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy.
The total expenditure under KALIA scheme will be around Rs 10,000 crore over a period of three years till 2020-21. Chairing a cabinet meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved the decision to implement the new scheme.
As part of the scheme, the government has decided to provide small and marginal farmers financial support of Rs 10,000 per year at the rate of Rs 5000 each for Kharif and Rabi seasons. Over 30 lakh farmers will be benefitted for purchasing pesticides and seeds through this scheme.
Secondly, livelihood support for landless households at Rs 12,500 per each family will also be ensured through this scheme. Landless farmers can avail any one of the several livelihood options like small goat rearing unit, dual purpose low input technology bird unit, duckery unit, fishery kit, mushroom cultivation or bee keeping. The government has targeted to cover around 10 lakh households under this category.
Similarly, about 5 lakh landless farmers who are unable to receive any one of the two aforesaid benefits will be provided financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to take care of their agriculture or other requirements.
This apart, the State government will also provide life insurance support to cultivators and landless labourers through a cover of Rs 2, 00,000. Provision for additional personal accident cover of Rs 2, 00,000 has also been made under the scheme. Around 57 lakh such households will get benefits.
The government has also decided to make all the farm loans under Rs 50,000 interest free. Earlier the farm loans were charged at 1 per cent interest.
After announcing the scheme, CM Patnaik said “KALIA scheme is progressive, inclusive and will make a direct attack on poverty by way of a massive investment in this sector and ensuring that benefits are provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode."
BJP leader Golak Mohapatra said "The state government had announced several such schemes in the past 19 years of BJD rule, but be it input subsidy or implementation of Parbati Giri project, all of them have failed miserably. The BJD-led government is only focused on announcing schemes, but in reality the benefits of the programmes never really reach the grassroots."
The saffron party Vice president Samir Mohanty said "It is very unfortunate that after nearly two decades, the government has now realised the plight of farmers. However, the new announcement by CM Naveen is just to mislead the people.
Congress leader Sarat Rout said "Rather than announcing one more scheme, it would have been better if the CM had simply expressed his inability to implement the farm loan waiver proposal."
Besides laying foundation stone, Patnaik distributed agricultural equipment and financial assistance to the beneficiaries under the recently launched KALIA scheme at the convention held at Rangeilunda airstrip ground.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by the district administration for the chief minister's visit.
Earlier, on January 25, the CM had released financial assistance to around 12.45 lakh farmers during the launch of the first-phase of KALIA scheme.
“The scheme will boost agriculture and improve the condition of the farmers. KALIA will be a torchbearer for the entire nation,” Patnaik had said.
Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, said "The loan-waiver scheme will make the State's economy bankrupt but KALIA scheme is progressive which will directly benefit the farmers. All section of farmers will directly receive the compensation in their accounts and will be empowered."
As per the modalities fixed for the implementation of KALIA scheme, the government has asked concerned officials to identify and notify the beneficiaries while monetary assistance will be directly credited to the bank accounts of 12.4 lakh farmers by January 26 in the first phase.
The identification of beneficiaries for the second phase will start from January 20 and will continue till January 30 and assistance will be provided between February 13 and 15.
“The last date for submission of application is January 15. If we get monetary benefits, then this definitely is a welcome move,” said a farmer from Aska.
On the other hand, there are some people who have not only applied for themselves, but for their entire family to get enrolled in the scheme. “I and other members of my family have applied for inclusion in the KALIA scheme,” said a farmer of Angul.
Itishree Satapathy, Nodal Officer, Angul said, “The number of applications we have received exceeds the number of families. We haven’t received any guideline on selection or rejection of an application.”
No doubt, the selection process poses a major challenge for the State government and questions have also been raised on how the government will manage to select or reject the beneficiaries in such a short period.
Ridiculing the KALIA scheme, senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati commented, “This scheme will boomerang for BJD in the upcoming elections. This is not KALIA scheme, but totally a ‘KALA’ (black) scheme. Only time will say how long this KALA scheme will sustain. Naveen Patnaik launched the scheme keeping the elections in mind."
Similarly, Surath Biswal, General Secretary of BJP Krushak Morcha targeted the ruling party and said, “It has not been decided as to who will identify the farmers. And they are saying that the money will be deposited by January 26, which means all this is done in haste to woo the farmers. The scheme is only meant for the workers of the party, and only those workers will be benefited. The actual farmers and beneficiaries will not get any benefits.”
Meanwhile, Senior BJD leader and Cooperation Minister Surjya Narayan Patro said, “Money will be directly credited to the bank accounts of nearly 12.40 lakh farmers who are having regular transactions with us. Besides, the farmers who have recently applied under the KALIA scheme will also get assistance by January 26 after necessary verification by concerned officers.”
Launching a scathing attack on the ruling BJD government, BJP alleged that many farmers in the State are being deprived of the advantages of the centrally-sponsored scheme as the Odisha government is not providing the list of beneficiaries to the Union government.
“There is no problem for the Central government to provide assistance to the farmers of the country. Odisha has no clue as to how many sharecroppers and landless farmers are there in the State. There are many small farmers in the State who are deprived of getting Rs 6,000 assistance under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi yojna. What is the problem in sharing the list of such farmers to the centre,” questioned State BJP Kisan Morcha President, Pradip Purohit.
Echoing a similar view, senior Congress leader and MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said, “Earlier the State government had released a list of 51 lakh beneficiaries and now the number has come down to 42 lakh. The State government should provide the list of beneficiaries to the Centre which will help the farmers of all sections to get the benefits of the centrally-sponsored scheme. This is in the interest of farmers and hence, it shouldn’t be politicised.”
Responding to the allegations, senior BJD leader Amar Satpathy said, “In a mark of respect to the farmers, we have been organising ‘Krushak Diwas’ since 2000. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has sanctioned an assistance of Rs 820 crore for as many as 42 lakh farmers and the amount has been credited to their accounts.”
Chief Minister Naveen announced that the State government has released a total of Rs 920 crore to 42 lakh farmers in the State today livelihood augmentation initiative.
Ahead of the most important agrarian ritual for farmers of the State, the Akshay Tritiya tomorrow, CM Naveen extended wishes to the farming community.
I hope that all the small, landless farmers in the State will make proper use of the KALIA money in the farming activities and in the development of the livelihood,” Patnaik said in a message while releasing the KALIA money to the bank accounts of the farmers through DBT.
KALIA is the best scheme for the upliftment of farming community in the entire country. It has been able to bring back smiles in the faces of farmers, said the Chief Minister.
At present while there is lockdown in the entire State but farming activities have been exempted from the restrictions. So I urge all our farmers to continue their work by adhering to all Covid regulations,” said Patnaik.
Earlier today, Union Pertroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that more than 27.83 lakh farmers from Odisha have also received Rs 556.64 crores today into, their bank accounts under PM Kisan.
As per the allegations made by the farmers, two to three persons from a single family are receiving benefits while eligible beneficiaries are being left out. Most of the eligible beneficiaries under KALIA are not receiving any benefits, they alleged. The agitating farmers demanded inclusion of names of eligible persons in the list of KALIA beneficiaries.
"We haven't received financial assistance provided by the Odisha government under the KALIA scheme. There are families who have received assistance in the names of two to three persons. Is the government really going to pay us or the whole thing is a farce? " asked Jaladhar Jena, a farmer.
Ramachandra Dhal, Nodal officer of the district said "The farmers gheraoed the office asking why they have not received financial assistance under KALIA. There might be some glitches related to Aadhar verification or it could be a bank account -related problem. The higher authorities can clarify."
Though it is a fact that the Centre's announcement has come at a crucial juncture just when the BJP lost crucial ground in the Hindi heartland, the move is being touted as saffron party's biggest weapon (brahmastra).
In Odisha, as the State government has already started implementation of the KALIA scheme since last month. While the ruling-BJD in Odisha claims that its KALIA scheme is better, the Centre is confident that its PM-KISAN scheme will be more beneficial in the long-term.
However, farmer leaders have questioned both the Centre and the State's schemes as attempts to hoodwink the community. Neither the state government is announcing bonus for the welfare of the farmers, nor is the Centre concerned to hike paddy MSP to Rs 2930 per quintal, said farmer outfit Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan. "They think that with help of their shrewd politics they can easily manipulate the farming community with these schemes, but the farmers will continue with their fight for price, pension and prestige," said the outfit's convener, Akshay Kumar.
Meanwhile, the biggest question is how the Centre will identify the beneficiaries for its KISAN scheme. Since the State government has already initiated implementation of its KALIA scheme, it remains to be seen whether the State government hands over the beneficiary list to the Centre or it delays the process of disbursement of central funds to farmers.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "If State government cooperates it would not be a daunting task to identify the farmers."
Odisha Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said the identification of the beneficiaries depends on the Union Government's consultations with the State government and our present infrastructure.
The announcement came during a farmers’ rally in Keonjhar today.
“I want children of farmers to excel in studies. The State government will bear the education expenses of their children and therefore I have launched the ‘KALIA ChhatraBruti’ scholarship scheme,” CM Naveen said.
According to sources, children of farmers who have taken admission at government professional colleges on merit basis will be eligible for the scholarship scheme.
Under the scheme, the State government will bear the higher study expenses of children of farmers who have enrolled themselves under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.
The Chief Minister further stated, “Future of farmers lies with the development of their children. I want the children of farmers to become doctors, engineers and lawyers.”
CM Naveen also inaugurated 17 welfare projects worth Rs 66 crore and laid foundation stones of 47 projects worth Rs 2,100 crore for Keonjhar district.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone for construction of residential houses of Keonjhar police department, 50-seated skill development and training centre, girls’ and boys’ hostels in Dharanidhar Autonomous College, and piped water supply project.
Earlier in the day, addressing Mission Shakti convention at Mahuladiha Ground in Rairangpur, CM Naveen inaugurated 21 welfare projects worth Rs 45 crore and also laid foundation stones of 15 projects worth Rs 960.34 crore for Rairangpur and Karajia sub divisions. Under the Mission Shakti programme, the CM handed over seed money of Rs 15,000 each to as many as 7, 453 Self Help Groups (SHGs) of Mayurbhanj district while Rs 25 lakh each was provided to 12 block level SHG federations of the district.
Addressing a meeting, Secretary of Agriculture Department, Saurabh Garg informed that in the first phase, monetary assistance of Rs 5000 will be given to around 4.5 lakh landless farmers by February 15. In the second phase, cash benefits will be transferred to around 14 lakh small and marginal farmers of the state on February 22.
“After reviewing the application forms we have prepared the list of the beneficiaries. The balance amount of Rs 12,500 for livelihood support will be given to them afterwards" said Garg.
It is pertinent to mention here that, on December 21, 2018 Odisha government had announced KALIA scheme to support small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers in the state.
As part of the scheme, the government has decided to provide small and marginal farmers financial support of Rs 10,000 per year in two tranches of Rs 5000 during Kharif and Rabi seasons. Secondly, livelihood support for landless households at Rs 12,500 per family will also be disbursed under the scheme.
Under the scheme, landless farmers will get Rs 12,500 assistance in three instalments for livelihood support and agriculture. In the first phase a total of 3.50 lakh landless farmers will receive the benefits. During his visit to Kendrapara today, the CM also laid the foundation of 18 welfare projects worth Rs 173 crore.
It is pertinent to mention here that, on December 21, 2018 Odisha government had announced the KALIA scheme to support small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers in the state.
As a part of the scheme, the government has decided to provide small and marginal farmers financial support of Rs 10,000 per year in two tranches of Rs 5000 during Kharif and Rabi seasons. Secondly, livelihood support of Rs 12,500 for landless farmers will also be disbursed under the scheme.
Odisha CM said that the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme of the state is showing the way across the country. He said that the Centre's PM-KISAN scheme has no provisions for micro, landless farmers and sharecroppers and he has therefore written a letter to Prime Minister Modi requesting inclusion of these categories of farmers in the scheme.
The chief minister today inaugurated and laid foundation of projects worth more than Rs 1,340 crore in the district. He also assured to set up a cancer hospital in the district.
Patnaik said "More than 16 lakh farmers have received assistance in the first phase of KALIA scheme while another 14 lakh will receive assistance in the second phase. I will personally ensure that no farmer in the State is deprived of assistance."
Reacting over Odisha CM's demands, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that the CM did not fulfil his promise of bonus to farmers made two years ago in Bargarh. He said "The Odisha CM has given Rs 5,000 assistance while PM Modi will be granting Rs 6,000 to the farmers. The Odisha government is promising Rs 10,000 under KALIA scheme, but there is no adequate provisioning in the budget for even Rs 5000 for 50 lakh people," Pradhan added.
Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi said all the beneficiaries of KALIA scheme will be covered under the PM-KISAN programme. In the first phase, a list of 12.45 lakh small and marginal farmers will be given to the Centre for the PM-KISAN programme.
“The small and marginal farmers, who have been included in the first phase of the KALIA scheme, will be covered under the PM-KISAN programme,” said Padhi.
“A decision has been taken by the State government to join the PM- KISAN programme. In the first phase, KALIA beneficiaries will be included and data of these small and marginal farmers will be uploaded,” said Saurabh Garg, Agriculture department secretary.
Other small and marginal farmers will be included in the State-sponsored KALIA scheme and later in the PM-KISAN scheme in phases, Garg further stated.
PM Modi will formally inaugurate the PM-KISAN scheme during a two-day farmers’ conclave at Gorakhpur on February 24. With its launch, the Central government will release Rs 2000 to each beneficiary through direct benefit transfer mode. The scheme promises Rs 6,000 per annum in three equal instalments to small and marginal farmers with land holding up to two hectares.
Meanwhile, the State government transferred Rs 700 crore to the bank accounts of over 14 lakh beneficiaries in the second phase of KALIA scheme at a programme in Bargarh.
He alleged that, that the Odisha government has no intention to help the unprivileged families in the state but is rather trying to hoodwink the people to get votes during the election.
"KALIA scholarship scheme is an attempt of the Naveen government to build false hopes and aspirations among the students," the union minister said during a party programme at Kantamal in Boudh.
Pradhan further added that despite being at the helm of affairs in Odisha for last 19 years, the Naveen-led government has done injustice by not announcing reservation for students of OBC in jobs and education sector even though the Centre has made provisions for the same.
Responding to Pradhan’s allegations, State Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said that it has been the common tendency of the union minister to bring allegations on any scheme that has been implemented by the state government for the benefit of the people of Odisha.
"I don't want to comment on this" said Behera.
Union Minister of Agriculture for State Gajendra Singh Shekhawat today criticised the Odisha government and urged it to release the list of all farmers for inclusion into the newly-inaugurated PM-KISAN scheme.
Addressing media in Bhubaneswar on the sidelines of the launch of the PM-KISAN scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Shekhawat said, “Odisha government has been saying that apart from 5 to 6 lakh landless farmers, there are at least 50 lakh farmers in the State who deserve benefits but it has sent an incomplete list to the Centre to favour its own KALIA scheme."
“Apart from 5 to 6 lakh landless farmers, the State government should disclose names of those 40 to 45 lakh farmers in the State and send it to the Centre so that they can get the much-needed financial assistance,” said Shekhawat.
Criticizing the State government, the union minister said, “You might have different political view but you have no right to treat the farmers unfairly. If the Centre wants to reach out to each and every farmer of the State, the government has a responsibility to rise above politics for the welfare of the farmers.”
Responding to Shekhawat’s statements, State Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “Odisha government supports Centre’s PM-KISAN scheme but instead of Rs 6000, the government should make provision for financial assistance of Rs 10,000.”
Earlier in the day, launching the scheme from Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, Prime Minister Modi said the first installment of money under the scheme has been deposited in accounts of 1.01 crore farmers.
During the occasion, the PM alleged that while 21 states and all union territories have implemented the scheme, other states have been reluctant to work for the welfare of the farmers.
The Scheme was introduced to augment the income of small and marginal farmers and is estimated to benefit over 12 crore farmers.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also launched the second phase of KALIA scheme today and released Rs 5000 to each 1.79 lakh farmers of the State.
While Congress has alleged that the State government is bribing voters in the name of assistance under KALIA scheme, a confident BJP said that people of Odisha will stand by the party and help it form the government in 2019.
Claiming that the eleventh hour election stunt (KALIA scheme) can't help the BJD win the trust of farmers who have already suffered a lot under the 19 years of BJD rule, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Once the model code of conduct comes into effect, it will be clear who will stand where. It's quite early to speak on the issue."
"KALIA scheme has been launched only to bribe people. They (BJD) believe in cash-for-votes, but money can't always buy votes," said senior Congress leader, Suresh Kumar Routray.
However, the ruling-BJD refuted the bribe-allegations and hit back at both the BJP and the Congress stating that the BJD government is fulfilling the demands of lakhs of farmers in the State.
"It's an ongoing process, there's nothing like bribing people. Farmers have been demanding assistance and the government is just doing the same. Utkal Diwas carries a lot of importance and that's the only reason that the government decided to disburse the assistance on that particular day," said BJD MLA, Debasis Nayak.
The CMO also refuted reports that it was not an emergency landing.
Later CM Naveen travelled to Rayagada and addressed a public meeting as per schedule. "He has landed safely at Rayagada by chopper and proceeded to attend the scheduled programme. He has thanked all to have been patiently waiting at venue," a tweet from CMO's handle said.
Due to bad weather CM @Naveen_Odisha’s aircraft could not land in Lanjigarh & was diverted to Jeypore. He has landed safely at Raygada by chopper and proceeded to attend the scheduled programme. He has thanked all to have been patiently waiting at venue.
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) February 27, 2019
While addressing the gathering at the public meeting, the Chief Minister said, "More than 30 lakh farmers have benefitted from KALIA scheme till now. Disbursal of funds in the second phase of the scheme will begin from April 1. Some people are spreading rumours that the scheme will be closed which is not true."
Padhi further said "The draft list of the beneficiaries will be announced on March 1 after which the verification will be undertaken. Discussions were also held to release the second instalment to the farmers under KALIA scheme."
Recently, the State Cabinet had decided to extend the benefits of KALIA scheme to 10 lakh additional farmers of the State. The meeting today discussed the preparation of list of eligible farmers and also the transfer of second instalment to the farmers who have already been identified.
Earlier on January 26, the State government released financial assistance to around 12.45 lakh farmers in the State in the first-phase of the KALIA scheme.
The farmers of Nagada village have denied getting any sort of financial assistance under KALIA scheme of the State government even though they had applied for the same. They have even accused the local forest department officials of stopping farming activity in the area.
"I had applied for assistance under the scheme but I have not received any help. I just know that one such scheme exists. There is electricity connection but no electricity supply and the roads are also in bad condition now," said Mangal Pradhan, a farmer of Nagada village said.
"If we stop farming, how will we live? They just provide us rice but no commodities like pulses, salt etc. How can we live only on rice only?," said a resident of Nagada, Tulasi Pradhan.
The Odisha government had took up various development activities in Nagada after reports of malnutrition deaths in the village surfaced in national media. The government constructed roads and made provision for drinking water, electricity and bus service to the area, however, now the situation is back to its previous state, sources said.
The residents continue to risk their lives by walking through the hilly terrain and mountainous roads. They have to travel in hazardous conditions in the only vehicle that provides transportation service to the area, sources added.
On the other hand, the district Collector has assured of providing all the necessary infrastructure to the area and promised inclusion of the farmers under the KALIA scheme.
"The roads were constructed in the mountain area and it surely requires maintenance every year which we will start soon as the monsoon season is over now. As far as assistance under KALIA scheme is concerned, some people have received it in first phase and others will get it in the second phase," said Jajpur District Collector, Ranjan Kumar Das.
As per the allegations, following the enforcement of the model code of conduct on March 10, the State Finance Minister, Shashi Bhusan Behera had announced that disbursement of monetary assistance to farmers under the KALIA scheme will continue till March 31, which is a is blatant violation of the poll code and the Finance Minister should be immediately dismissed, the BJP demanded.
A delegation of the BJP led by Odisha unit vice-president, Sameer Mohanty apprised CEO Surendra Kumar that the government has been unable to maintain transparency and accountability in the implementation of the KALIA scheme.
We have urged the CEO to discourage the State government from transferring cash to its selected party workers because it is just a political stunt just to garner votes during the upcoming polls, said Mohanty.
Pradhan alleged that BJD-led government has cheated the people of Odisha by neither making adequate budgetary provision nor having a proper benefiary list.
The Union Minister further added that while KALIA scheme is a welfare scheme, the ruling-BJD is using it as a campaign tool to grab votes ahead of the elections.
Questioning the role of CEO Surendra Kumar, Pradhan said while the Election Commission raised questions on the advertisements of Centre’s Ujjwala scheme, why it has not objected to the KALIA scheme.
A delegation of the saffron party moved the CEO urging his intervention to direct State govt to stop implementation of KALIA scheme. Party State Vice President Samir Mohanty and Lekhashree Samantasinghar among others accused ruling party of not publicising final beneficiary list of scheme even after enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
Apart from accusing DIG Intelligence Asish Singh of pressurising officers to ensure victory of BJD candidates during the upcoming elections, the saffron party also claimed that mining companies are still distributing mobile phones to members of Biju Yuva Vahini despite enforcement of MCC.
Reacting to Pradhan’s comments, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said, the BJP is conspiring to stop implementataion of KALIA scheme. Now 20 lakh farmers of the State will give a befitting reply to the saffron party for neglecting their interests, he added.
Answering media on BJD allegations that the BJP is behind stalling of the scheme when their own PM Kisan is still on, Pradhan clarified that the PM-KISAN Yojana of the Central government has a budgetary allocation and beneficiary list provided by state governments while the Odisha government failed to provide any answer to CEO on whether any budgetary provision is there for KAILA scheme and if a beneficiaries list exists.
“KALIA scheme of the ruling BJD is only for party propaganda. Farmers of the states that give list of beneficiaries get benefits of PM-KISAN Yojana. But the Odisha government is yet to submit the list. As per media reports, the first phase list of KALIA scheme had the names of government officials and BJD ministers like Bikram Arukha, Niranjan Pujari and Susant Singh. So, out of fear, the State government stopped releasing beneficiaries’ list,” alleged Pradhan.
KALIA will prove a canker for the BJD, Pradhan asserted after coming out of CEO office. His response came after a BJD delegation led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today met the CEO here and lodged a complaint protesting the EC decision to stop disbursement of funds to farmers under the KALIA scheme in the name of model code of conduct being in force.
"It is unfortunate that they (ECI) have not stopped the agricultural scheme of the Central government. I had come to see the CEO about (lodging) a strong complaint of the election office stopping our government’s KALIA scheme for the farmers," Patnaik said to media.
Patnaik further justified his protest and said that the scheme is important for farmers particularly during this season when they require those funds. "I am disappointed that BJP complained to the EC about the KALIA scheme," he said, adding that farmers of the State will give the saffron party a befitting reply.
Pradhan also met the CEO with a BJP delegation to apprise him of ‘dirty tricks’ being played by the BJD. “We had come to complain about the BJD’s goondaism as we all have been facing it in most parts of the state while electioneering. The latest example is my Chikiti visit. As far as I know, the BJD is threatening the government officials of Ganjam, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Nuapara districts… Government employees have already revolted and they are no longer supporting the State government in its misdeeds.”
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had claimed that 40 lakh farmers were benefitted under the KALIA scheme but a letter from the Agriculture Department has revealed that out of 30,77,908 small and marginal farmers selected for online transfer of financial assistance of Rs 5,000, only 27,95,645 beneficiaries have received the funds in their respective bank accounts through DBT.
The letter summarises the progress of KALIA scheme as presented after a State Level Committee meeting held on April 2 under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary.
“The funds transfer to 2,82, 263 accounts has failed as on April 1, 2019, ” the letter read. Similarly, out of 6, 24, 076 landless agricultural households selected for online transfer of financial assistance of Rs 5,000; 4, 74, 891 beneficiaries have received the funds in their respective bank accounts through DBT with a success rate of 76.09%. The fund transfer to 1,49, 185 accounts has failed, as per the letter.
In the letter it is also mentioned that including small, marginal and landless farmers, 32, 70, 536 beneficiaries have already received financial assistance of Rs 5000 with an overall success rate of 88.35% as on April 1.
“Out of 4, 31, 448 failure accounts, the segregation of these data has been made bank-wise by SBI and sent to SLBC for verification and validation,” the letter further read.
Meanwhile, farmers who have not received the financial assistance have started to question the political leaders who are campaigning for polls.
“My name was listed. They assured me that I will get the amount soon but I haven’t received it yet. It is unfair if some farmers are not getting the amount,” said Debraj Nayak, a farmer from Jeypore, said.
Another farmer from Udala, Bhaskar Lenka, said, “Despite having my name on the list, I have not received the amount yet.”
The State government had also written to the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha asking for the release of assistance of the balance amount to 5, 64,916 farmers for the year 2018-19 and additional 2.50 lakh small & marginal farmers and 5 lakh landless farmers for 2019-20. However, the Chief Electoral Officer Surendra Kumar had said that as the list had not come through the Screening Committee, the letter was not approved citing that details on some aspects couldn’t be retrieved.
While both BJP and BJD have met the CEO over KALIA scheme, political experts believe that the resentment of those who have not received the benefit of the scheme may prove costly for the State government.
“CM Naveen meeting CEO over delay in disbursal of funds under KALIA scheme is well-planned strategy to counter the issue of farmers complaining about not receiving the funds,” political expert, Prasanna Mohanty, said.
Bhubaneswar: Change has been the cry in this election in Odisha. It has been the refrain of voters in a majority of constituencies. The obvious implication of this is that anti-incumbency factor has come into play in the state for the first time since chief minister, Naveen Patnaik took up the reins of government in 2000.
In the three elections that the state has seen after that anti-incumbency has never been a factor. Instead Patnaik has been winning elections with consummate ease. The last election, in fact, saw Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) getting a brute majority in the state assembly. The party also won 20 out of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
With his popularity at its peak Patnaik was often described as the only chief minister of the country who had turned anti-incumbency on its head. His party leaders jokingly coined a new term, “ pro-incumbency.” Patnaik appeared invincible.
The opposition tried every trick in its bag. It hurled corruption allegations against him and lampooned his poor knowledge of Odia, the official language of the state. However, nothing succeeded. While corruption charges did not stick, people just ignored the criticism of his Odia. Opposition’s sustained campaign notwithstanding his popularity remained undiminished.
Then came scandals like chit fund and mining scam. More than mining scam it was the chit fund scandal which made common people wince and realize for the first time that corruption by ruling party leaders was actually impacting their lives. In a damage control exercise the state government appointed a commission to look into the issue and also announced other measures to compensate the investors, especially the small investors.
There were also other instances of corruption that began to pinch common people. Notwithstanding the fact that chief minister’s own image as an honest politician was intact his government’s popularity was beginning to dip.
Then there were crucial developments on the party front for the chief minister who, in his bid to control everything, found his grip slipping on the BJD where new equations were emerging. The ruling party suffered a big blow when influential leaders like Baijayant Panda and Damodar Rout quit and joined the BJP.
The BJP, which has been short of big names in the state, welcomed them with open arms. The need was mutual. Together they launched a brutal assault on the government, exposing its weaknesses and the shortcomings of some of its most vaunted welfare schemes.
In the meantime, some of these schemes like KALIA, meant for small farmers and share-croppers, floundered because of a variety of factors, some beyond the control of the state government. Despite assurances from the chief minister that remaining instalments of KALIA would be released soon after his government is voted back to power the vast farming community of the state seems far from convinced.
While this is bound to adversely affect the ruling party’s prospects in a large number of constituencies there are other issues which have taken a toll on the BJD’s image. That explains the cry for change this time. But whether a change actually takes place or not would also depend a lot on the strength of the opposition.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
With this, the target of KALIA beneficiaries has been increased to 75 lakh farmer families. A total of 42 lakh farming families are currently enrolled under the scheme.
"As per our commitment to farmers, today in our first Cabinet meeting, the target of KALIA beneficiaries has been increased to 75 lakh farm families. Fund release starts with immediate effect (May 29, 2019) and about 25 lakh additional families will be assisted in a week's time," said the CM.
CM Naveen also approved Rs 1,000 crore worth of government business to Women Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) through Mission Shakti.
As many as 40 different types of activities such as paddy procurement, uniforms for school children, hospital diet, mosquito nets and mid-day meals will be part of this in the first phase, said Naveen.
"With these two resolutions the promise I had made about KALIA and Mission Shakti to be implemented on the day we assume office, is honoured," he added.
Under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme, farmers get Rs 5,000 financial assistance per crop. A farm household is entitled to get Rs 10,000 per year for two crops (Kharif and Rabi), they said.
According to a notification issued by the Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment department, in accordance with the state Cabinet's decision on May 29 to include 32.34 lakh additional beneficiaries under the scheme, more funds is being made available to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries get benefit.
"It has been now been decided that a further additional 32.34 lakh small farmers/marginal farmers/actual cultivators (share croppers)/ landless agricultural households be included in the Kalia scheme during 2019-20, apart from the farm families already assisted in 2018-19, so that no one who is eligible will be left out," the notification said.
Out of a total of 75 lakh farm families to be included in the Kalia scheme, 50 lakh will be small and marginal farmers and sharecroppers while the remaining 25 lakh will be landless agricultural households.
This can be modified between the categories by the state government subject to the overall target under these two components of 75 lakh farm families, it said adding that the funds required for 2019-20 is estimated to be Rs 3,234 crore excluding the administrative cost, for 32.34 lakh farmers/landless agricultural households.
Earlier, the state government has made provision of Rs 10,000 crore for implementation of the Kalia scheme. Now after inclusion of more farmers, the total funds requirement for the scheme would be around Rs 13,234 crore for the 2019-20
All eyes are now on the upcoming budget and the focus areas of Odisha government. It is anticipated that there would be substantial budgetary allocation towards Cyclone Fani restoration particularly for the School and Mass Education, Energy and Panchayati Raj departments.
On the other hand former Finance minister, Pradeep Amat said “It seems that the State government might focus on social security, self help groups and Kalia scheme.”
The State government might increase allocation for several welfare schemes like the KALIA and Mission Shakti Programme which proved to be a game changers for the ruling BJD in the recently-concluded elections.
As the State Government has targeted to enhance the number of beneficiaries under KALIA scheme to 75 lakh, the allocation under the scheme is likely to go up.
What is worrying is the present debt burden of Rs 87,000 crore and it is estimated that it may go up to Rs 1,03,000 crore by 2020. The only breathing space for the State government is slight improvement in revenue generation, which has seen a rise of 19 percent.
What could create problems for the government is the fact that the State budget will be presented before the Union Budget. Earlier, State governments were able to plan and allocate funds depending on the share they received in the Central budget.
“The Government needs to be cautious as expenses are on the rise, while revenue growth is not substantial” said senior journalist Dillip Satpathy.
Patnaik welcomed the medium to long-term vision of the Union government while he expressed concern over some issues.
"The Union Budget 2019-20 speaks of medium to long-term vision of the government which is good for the country. However, these need to be backed by commensurate budgetary allocations," said Patnaik.
He said the imposition of cess and surcharges by the Central government, which remained outside the divisible pool, further reduced the resources available to the states.
He welcomed higher allocation for sectors like health, education, skill development, drinking water, livelihood mission, women and child development.
The Chief Minister, however, said the decreased allocation for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), core schemes for SC, ST and other vulnerable groups and pension under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was a cause of concern.
"Increased allocation for Railway projects is a welcome step. I hope the railway projects in Odisha would be fast-tracked with adequate allocation. However, reduced allocation for national highways would adversely affect inter-state connectivity," he said.
The Chief Minister said while the Union Budget laid emphasis on rural connectivity through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), housing through Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), and Swachh Bharat Mission, these need to be backed by allocation of funds.
"I wish the government enhanced the quantum of assistance to farmers under the PM KISAN scheme at par with our KALIA scheme. Landless labourers and sharecroppers should also have been included in its fold," Patnaik said.
In a letter, the Union Government has asked the State government to provide the beneficiary list by July 15 or else the farmers will be deprived of the benefits of the scheme.
This has now provided fodder to major opposition parties including BJP and Congress to train their guns on the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
Though initially the Centre had targeted to provide income support to small and marginal farmer families under the PM-KISAN, it has now taken a decision to extend the purview of the scheme to all farmers irrespective of the size of their landholding.
"CM Naveen will not have to face problems as it is the farmer who is affected. It is really unfortunate that at a time when the Centre is releasing funds, Odisha government is not providing the list of beneficiaries," said Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, "Odisha government has no data as so far it has extended all benefits on party affiliation basis."
Odisha Agriculture minister Arun Sahoo, on the other hand, claimed that the State government has already provided a list of nearly 18 lakh farmers. As the Centre has sought a list of large farmers, there has been a delay in submission of the data, he added.
"We are collecting data about large farmers and will soon upload it on the portal. Odisha government will extend support to Centre in implementation of PM-KISAN Yojana for the benefit of farmers," said Sahoo.
Earlier, Odisha government had patted its own back by claiming to have included 50 lakh farmers under its own KALIA Scheme. However, the ground reality seems to be totally different.
Meet Shatrughan Lenka, a farmer from Kaptipada block in Mayurbhanj district. Be it the PM-KISAN or Odisha government’s KALIA scheme, Lenka has not got any assistance so far.
"PM had announced a financial assistance of Rs 6,000 under PM-KISAN scheme. But not only PM-KISAN, we have not got any assistance even under the KALIA scheme," said Lenka.
Not only Lenka, over 100 farmers of the Kukurjhima village are also a deprived lot.
" Naveen Patnaik had announced to release assistance soon after taking oath as CM for the fifth time under KALIA scheme, but we are still waiting for the assistance," said Prashant Nayak, a farmer from Ganjam.
As per reports, there was a target to include over 46 lakh farmers from Odisha under the Centre’s PM-KISAN Yojana. As per the list provided to Centre, 9,62,115 farmers in Odisha received assistance in first phase while the benefits of PM-KISAN were extended to 7,99,293 farmers in the second instalment.
The minister said the special supplementary budget is required as advance of Rs 1443.1244 crore sanctioned from the OCF at the end of 2018-19, remained un-recouped as of now.
He said while the revenue and disaster management department had received Rs 6.3280 crore for payment of ex- gratia and compensation to some victims as per Supreme Court order, the department of agriculture and farmers empowerment took Rs 1244.66 crore for making financial assistance to beneficiaries of KALIA scheme.
Similarly, the fisheries and animal resources department received Rs 22.73 crore for livelihood and input support to dairy, fish and poultry farmers and social security and empowerment of persons with disability got Rs 169.4064 crore for pension under social security schemes, he said.
"The Special Supplementary Statement of Expenditure is presented under provision of Odisha Contingency Rules, 1967 and Odisha Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005 for recoupment of advance of Rs 1443.1244 crore," the minister said.
The corpus of OCF was initially Rs 400 crore and enhanced by another Rs 1200 crore to Rs 1600 crore through Odisha Contingency Fund (Amendment) Ordinance on January 11, 2019, to meet the requirement of expenditure for KALIA scheme, he said.
Subsequently after expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of the Legislature, the Ordinance had lapsed on March 18, 2019. The corpus of the OCF is now reduced to Rs 400 crore.
"Now, unless the advanced sanctioned from OCF is recouped early, no money can be sanctioned from the OCF even if it is an emergent nature of expenditure as the entire corpus has been exhausted. Accordingly, it was felt necessary to present the Special Statement of Expenditure, 2019-20 for recoupment of advance of Rs 1443.1244 crore," the minister said.
Bhubaneswar: Ruling Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) campaign for the recent Lok Sabha and state assembly elections revolved around the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme of its government.
Hailed by economists and planning experts it was supposed to be the panacea for the all problems being faced by the farming community. It took care of marginal farmers and the long neglected share-croppers as well. Both BJD and its government projected the scheme in a big way to woo the farmers who constitute a major vote-bank.
There were minor hiccups like election code of conduct coming in the way of disbursement of KALIA money to the beneficiaries. Those who did not receive money were peeved and complained bitterly. But they were assured that money would reach them the moment the election-related restrictions were lifted.
The party led by chief minister, Naveen Patnaik is said to have reaped rich electoral dividends from the scheme which was considered so important that the state government had initially appeared reluctant to have anything to do with the PM kisan yojana, an umbrella scheme at the national level for the members of the farming community.
A Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) versus Ayushman Bharat like situation had emerged with regard to KALIA and the Centre’s PM Kisan Yojana. It took some time for the state government to agree to share the list of beneficiaries with the Centre for the PM Kisan yojana. One is not sure if the entire list has reached the Centre yet.
Given this backdrop the plea of two senior BJP MPs in parliament for the merger of state-run schemes like KALIA with the PM kisan yojana raises some obvious questions, the most obvious being whether the state government is finding KALIA’s financial burden too much to handle?
This is quite possible given the state’s rising loan burden and the fact that it cannot cut down expenses on the many welfare schemes which have kept it in power for so many years. Besides the government’s pro-people and pro-poor image has come to be linked with these measures which, it appears, were initiated in some cases without taking the state’s fiscal health into account.
The state then has to find a way out of this crisis. In the past the government has done so cleverly in some cases. Take for example the Rs.1 per kg rice scheme which is among the most popular welfare measures of Naveen Patnaik government. The scheme is hailed as state’s very own but the fact remains that it gets highly subsidized rice from the Centre which considerably reduces its financial burden.
This kind of an arrangement suits the state government. The plea for merging KALIA with the PM kisan yojana, if accepted, will bail out Naveen Patnaik government from a difficult situation while keeping its reputation as a pro-poor regime intact. This also could be the reason behind chief minister’s friendly overtures towards Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and his party. It is a clever move.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Replying to an unstarred question of BJP legislator Mohan Charan Majhi, Agriculture Minister Arun Sahoo told the Assembly that 36.34 lakh small and marginal farmers and 14.70 lakh landless farmers have received financial assistance under the KALIA scheme so far.
The state government has set a target to include 75 lakh beneficiaries including 50 lakh small and marginal farmers and 25 lakh landless farmers under the scheme, the minister said.
Sahoo said the selection process for the remaining beneficiaries is going on.
The state government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 5,501 crore in the 2019-20 budget and Rs 2,175.66 crore in the 2018-19 budget, the minister informed.
Small, marginal and landless farmers are given Rs 5,000 through their bank accounts under the scheme. The beneficiary farmers are provided Rs 10,000 each per annum for two crops (Rs 5,000 for kharif and Rs 5,000 for the rabi crop), said an official.
Questions including how beneficiaries were chosen, source of funds and how sharecroppers are being benefitted were raised during a discussion on an adjournment motion in the Odisha Assembly today. While Congress alleged that the scheme is only meant for helping BJD party workers, Opposition party chief whip Mohan Majhi said that KALIA scheme was only a gimmick to garner maximum votes and the State government failed to select the beneficiaries in a proper manner.
When deputy speaker directed Majhi to shorten his speech, the legislator expressed his displeasure and stopped midway. Supporting Majhi, BJP MLAs walked out of the House when Agriculture Minister was replying to the question. The Minister said that a detailed list of beneficiaries will be released on the official website of the department in August.
"KALIA scheme was only made to help the BJD and Biju Yuva Vahini members. The State government has failed to manage the scheme and that's why it has failed to submit the exact number of beneficiaries," Congress leader, Sura Routray said.
Majhi said, "They have used KALIA scheme to win the general elections. The Odisha government has not selected beneficiaries objectively and is trying to muzzle our voices."
As per the State government, till now 51,05,290 beneficiaries have received assistance under the KALIA scheme and 25 lakh more farmers will be given assistance, informed Agriculture Minister, Arun Kumar Sahoo in the Assembly.
"Till now, 51 lakh famers and agricultural labourers have been given assistance under the KALIA scheme. The information regarding this will be available in the public domain in the month of August," Sahoo said.
In Gunupur area of Rayagada, many farmers have expressed resentment alleging that they haven't received any cash assistance.
"They had assured us financial assistance, but after elections they have forgotten all the promises they made," a farmer, Raghunath Sabar, said.
Another farmer, Jagannath Sabar, alleged: "They are saying the money has come, but I don't find a penny in my bank account."
Agriculture Secretary, Saurabh Garg today informed that out of the total 51 lakh farmers, there are 37 lakh small and marginal farmers while remaining 14 lakh are landless farmers.
The list of the beneficiaries has been pasted on the walls of each panchayat so as to weed out ineligible beneficiaries. Those, who voluntarily want to their names to be dropped from the KALIA beneficiary list, can do so by filing up a form.
One can download the form from the official website-www.Kalia.co.in and submit it before the panchayat level nodal officer between August 6 and August 14. They also need to apply before concerned bank managers to refund the assistance which they had received under the KALIA scheme.
Official sources said the left out beneficiaries, who were not included under the KALIA scheme, can now apply for enrolling themselves under the scheme.
Garg further informed that at present the government has received nearly one crore applications while efforts are on to identify genuine beneficiaries and remove fake ones. Moreover, committees have been formed at panchayat, block and district levels for the same, he added.