BJD moves CEO to continue Kalia scheme
Minati Singha | TNN | Mar 18, 2019, 09:21 ISTBHUBANESWAR: The ruling BJD on Sunday urged chief electoral officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar to allow the state government continue with the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme.
The opposition BJP had moved the CEO, saying if the state government was going to give away cash benefits to farmers under the scheme, it would be a violation of the model code of conduct.
The state government had launched the Kalia scheme to provide support and assistance to farmers. In the past few months, more than 37 lakh farmers have been benefited by it. "The programme is a much-needed one for the development of agriculture and for providing livelihood support to farmers," said the party in a memorandum submitted to the CEO. It added that the Kalia scheme had been appreciated as revolutionary by eminent economists and agricultural experts from across the country and abroad.
The BJD delegation urged the CEO against 'getting pressurized' by the complaints lodged by BJP. "It has come to our notice that BJP is trying to pressurize the Election Commission to stop the flow of Kalia funds to farmers. If the funds stop, more than 20 lakh farmers, whose names are displayed at gram panchayats across the state, will be severely affected ahead of the upcoming cropping season. The BJP should not be allowed to succeed in its design to stop Kalia assistance," the memorandum read.
Earlier, the CEO had said an ongoing programme could not be stopped or discontinued when the model code of conduct was in force but no new scheme could be launched or new beneficiaries added to an existing one.
So far, 37 lakh farmers have received Kalia aid. The state government has targeted to pay the assistance to another eight lakh beneficiaries this financial year.
The opposition BJP had moved the CEO, saying if the state government was going to give away cash benefits to farmers under the scheme, it would be a violation of the model code of conduct.
The state government had launched the Kalia scheme to provide support and assistance to farmers. In the past few months, more than 37 lakh farmers have been benefited by it. "The programme is a much-needed one for the development of agriculture and for providing livelihood support to farmers," said the party in a memorandum submitted to the CEO. It added that the Kalia scheme had been appreciated as revolutionary by eminent economists and agricultural experts from across the country and abroad.
The BJD delegation urged the CEO against 'getting pressurized' by the complaints lodged by BJP. "It has come to our notice that BJP is trying to pressurize the Election Commission to stop the flow of Kalia funds to farmers. If the funds stop, more than 20 lakh farmers, whose names are displayed at gram panchayats across the state, will be severely affected ahead of the upcoming cropping season. The BJP should not be allowed to succeed in its design to stop Kalia assistance," the memorandum read.
Earlier, the CEO had said an ongoing programme could not be stopped or discontinued when the model code of conduct was in force but no new scheme could be launched or new beneficiaries added to an existing one.
So far, 37 lakh farmers have received Kalia aid. The state government has targeted to pay the assistance to another eight lakh beneficiaries this financial year.
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE