KALIA Scheme: Funds Transferred To Farmers’ Accounts

Bhubaneswar:  Farmers in the first draft beneficiary list (DBL) have got Rs 5,000 each as assistance under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA). The money has been transferred to their bank accounts through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

There were 22.8 lakh small and marginal farmers in the first DBL.  A total of 13.03 lakh small and marginal farmers, including 57,614 sharecroppers were found to be eligible.

Although the failure of DBT is claimed to be less than two per cent, the department is working with the banks to improve the reliability of the funds transfer.

A State-Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner to ensure that the funds provided under the KALIA Scheme are not adjusted by the banks towards previous outstanding against any beneficiary.

Such meetings were also held at the district level by all the 30 Collectors, in which the bankers assured their cooperation in disbursement of fund to the beneficiaries under KALIA Scheme.

The state government has already initiated steps to refund the money transferred to ineligible beneficiaries.