Future of Odisha’s KALIA Yojana uncertain

Bhubaneswar: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now in power in Odisha, there are growing concerns about the future of the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, a major farmers’ welfare initiative launched by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) regime.

In response to a written query from BJD MLA Gautam Buddha Das regarding the fate of the KALIA Yojana, Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo, who also oversees Agriculture, addressed the state assembly today.

He confirmed that high-level discussions are currently underway to decide whether the KALIA Yojana will continue.

“After the decision, all information will be made available to the members,” Singh Deo assured.

Singh Deo highlighted that the KALIA Yojana has benefitted a significant number of farmers since its inception. Specifically, 45,67,524 small and marginal farmers, as well as 19,12,122 landless farmers, have received assistance through the scheme.

Launched in January 2019 by the former BJD government, the KALIA scheme provides farmers with Rs 6,000 in three instalments annually.

Additionally, Singh Deo mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, a central government initiative aimed at supporting farmers across India. Under this programme, 29,73,980 farmers in Odisha received assistance on June 18 as part of the 17th instalment.

Despite the achievements of the KALIA scheme, uncertainty looms over its future with the BJP now at the helm. Farmers and stakeholders in the state are eagerly awaiting the final decision on whether this critical support mechanism will continue under the new administration.