Bhubaneswar, Apr 01: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that a sum of Rs 693.94 crore was transferred to the accounts of over 34 lakh farmers in the state under the KALIA scheme for the Rabi season on the Utkal Divas today.

Mr.Patnaik described the Kalia scheme as an important farmers welfare programme and the only scheme in the entire country which also helps landless poor along with the farmers.

“It is heartening to note that Kalia is having an impact in the lives of 37 lakh farmers in the state as well as 17 lakh landless poor,he said.

Mr Patnaiks said the sacrifice and self respect of farmers has increased the dignity of the state. The farmers of Odisha are today exporting food to other states and made Odisha proud in winning the Krishi Karman award.

Stating that the farmers have saved our economy during the Covid, the Chief Minister remarked “we cannot think of development without the farmers”

Mr. Patnaik Minimum Support Price at the rate one and half time the cost of production is the right of the farmers not the mercy of anyone.

He said Odisha‘s demand for the implementation of the recommendations of the MS Swaminathan committee will continue. (UNI)