Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the Odisha Government has detected as many as 3.41 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme, informed state agriculture minister Arun Sahoo on Tuesday.
Out of the total ineligible beneficiaries, while 12,000 large farmers have reportedly received the KALIA assistant, 20,000 government employees/pensioners found to availed the benefit. Similarly, 9,000 minors have received the money under the KALIA scheme.
Speaking to media the Minister said, the Government would encourage 12,000 ineligible large farmers who have received the KALIA assistant to refund the money. Similarly, the amount received by the government employees/pensioners under the KALIA, the same amount would be deducted from the salary or pension of those who have avbailed the benefit under KALIA, Sahu added.
The government has provided monetary assistance to 51 lakh small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers.