The return of KALIA Scheme

On Wednesday, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik initiated the disbursement of funds to farmers under the ‘KALIA’ scheme. The State Cabinet met under Patnaiks’ chairmanship and approved a proposal to add 32.34 lakh farmers under KALIA and another proposal to provide Rs 1,000 crore worth of Government businesses to women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The new assignment of KALIA funds have increased the target of KALIA beneficiaries from 42 lakh farm families to 75 lakh families. 50 lakh out of the 75 lakh farmers, will be small farmers/marginal farmers/actual cultivators (share croppers) and 9.4 lakh landless agricultural households. The funds were released on Wednesday with immediate effect in an aim to assist 25 lakh additional families in a week’s time.