No plan to merge Kalia scheme with PM Kisan Yojana: Minister

Odisha government on

Wednesday said it has no plan to merge the states Kalia scheme with the PM Kisan Yojana.

Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said this while replying to a question in the Assembly. He said the eligible farmers will get Rs 10,000 per annum as financial assistance as announced by the state government earlier.

"Since the marginal and small farmers will get Rs 6,000 under the PM Kisan Yojana in three instalments, therefore those beneficiaries will avail another Rs 4,000 under the Kalia scheme during the year," the minister said.

Sahoo said the government has identified as many as 45,965 ineligible beneficiaries who availed financial assistance under the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (Kalia) scheme.

Steps are being taken to ensure that the ineligible farmers return the money they availed under Kalia scheme, he said, adding that 1,863 farmers have so far returned the cash they received in their bank ...