Bhubaneswar: The state government will publish the draft list of beneficiaries for inclusion of additional 10 lakh agricultural households under its Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.
This was informed by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi after holding a high-level review meeting at Secretariat here Thursday. Recently, the state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the proposal for inclusion of additional 10 lakh beneficiaries in the ongoing KALIA scheme.
“Chief Minister has assured that no eligible beneficiary will be left out. Hence, it has been decided that 10 lakh more beneficiaries will be included in our KALIA scheme. Previously it was decided to cover 35 lakh people under its fold,” Padhi told reporters.
The draft list will be published March 1, following which field level verification will be made, he said, adding, “The first instalment to these new beneficiaries will be given during March only.” Similarly, he said, the second installment of KALIA assistance will be given from April 1.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera said, “The state government has given a list of over 12 lakh beneficiaries for inclusion under PM-KISAN scheme. However, they have cut it down to 8 lakh.”
“As the Centre has decided to include only small and marginal farmers who own land upto 2 hectares, it will take some time to prepare such a list,” Behera added.