Bhubaneswar: A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to the Prime Minister for inclusion of landless labourers, share croppers and vulnerable agricultsurya naraural households under PM-KISAN scheme, the state government Tuesday said it is examining the scheme.
State agriculture secretary Saurabh Garg said, “Now we are preparing a list for our KALIA scheme. But, we have received the Centre’s letter and we are examining it. Accordingly, we’ll hold discussion with the Centre and take an appropriate decision in this regard.”
While asked about whether the state has received any State-specific guidelines or ceiling number of beneficiaries for the PM-KISAN scheme, Garg said the Centre has given a common letter to all states and the government is examining the Centre’s requirement for the purpose.
“Centre has provided us with an overall guideline. We haven’t asked for the state-wise specific instruction nor have they provided any. Hence, the process is underway relating to the guideline and yet to be finalized,” he stated.
It seems that the state will miss the February 25 deadlines given by Centre to submit the beneficiary list for the PM-KISAN scheme.
Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro said, “Our Chief Minister has also requested to include the sharecroppers and landless labourers under the Central scheme. If it is implemented with whatever data is available with us, there will be no problem.”
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to distribute first instalment of Rs 5,000 to landless agricultural labourers February 15 at an event in Kendrapara. Around 4-5 lakh landless agricultural labourers will be benefited in this phase. The government will further provide Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,500 in next two trances.
Besides, in Phase II, the government will start distribution of assistance of Rs 5,000 to about 12 to 14 lakh small and marginal farmers at another event in Bargarh district, February 22. Earlier, the government has deposited the first instalment in accounts of 12.45 lakh small and marginal farmers in first phase.