Naveen Keeps His Promises, Announces Disbursal of KALIA Assistance to Farmers, Rs 1000 Cr for SHGs on First Day in Office

Bhubaneswar: Keeping his poll promises, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced disbursal of financial assistance to 33 lakh more eligible farmers under the KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme on the first day of assuming office.

The Chief Minister also approved proposal to provide Rs 1,000 crore worth of government business to Women SHGs.

Addressing the media briefing, Naveen, who sworn in as the Chief Minister for the fifth consecutive term on Wednesday, said, “As part of our commitment to farmers, today in our first Cabinet meeting, the target of KALIA beneficiaries has been increased to 75 lakh farm families. This is 33 lakh more than the existing 42 lakh families. Fund release starts from today with immediate effect and about 25 lakh additional families will be assisted in a week’s time.”

 “In a historic initiative towards economic empowerment of women, the Cabinet in its first meeting approved thousand crores worth of Government business to be done by Women SHGs through Mission Shakti. Forty different types of activities such as paddy procurement, uniforms for children, hospital diet and mosquito nets, Mid Day Meal will be part of this in the first phase,” Naveen further added.

“With these two resolutions the promise I had made about KALIA and Mission Shakti to be implemented on the day we assume office, is honoured,” he said.

Notably, the Chief Minister during his election campaigns across the State had promised to financial assistance to eligible farmers on the first day of the formation of the BJD government in the state.

Naveen took oath along with his council of ministers for his fifth consecutive term in Odisha in the presence of Governor Ganeshi Lal.