September 8th 2024.
On a warm Sunday afternoon in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took to the stage to launch the CM-KISAN Yojana in Sambalpur. As the festive spirit of Nuakhai, a harvest festival, filled the air, nearly 46 lakh farmers were in for a pleasant surprise. The Chief Minister distributed a whopping Rs 925 crore among these farmers, as part of the new scheme.
This initiative replaces the Kalia scheme, previously implemented by the BJD government. Majhi announced that under the CM-KISAN Yojana, the government will provide Rs 4,000 annually to each of the 46 lakh small and marginal farmers. The amount will be released in two instalments, on the auspicious days of Nuakhai and Akshaya Tritiya.
Addressing the excited crowd, Majhi highlighted that the scheme will benefit not just land-owning farmers, but also landless households involved in agriculture. He also pointed out that while the PM-KISAN scheme provides Rs 6,000 annually to farmers, the farmers of Odisha will now receive a total of Rs 10,000 in their bank accounts.
As the preparations for the Rabi crop begin with Nuakhai, the first instalment of the scheme was disbursed on this day. Majhi explained that farmers can use this money to purchase farming equipment, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides well in advance, ensuring a smooth and successful harvest.
In addition to the CM-KISAN Yojana, the state government has also launched a scholarship scheme for the children of these beneficiaries. Those pursuing technical education will receive a scholarship of Rs 2 lakh, providing them with opportunities for a better future.
Majhi acknowledged that due to some technical issues, not all eligible beneficiaries were included in the PM-KISAN scheme. To bridge this gap, the government has launched a two-month saturation drive to ensure that all eligible registered farmers are included in the scheme.
The Chief Minister also took the opportunity to address some promises made by the previous government. He pointed out that the bonus of Rs 100 for paddy farmers, announced in 2014, was never implemented during the tenure of the BJD government. However, Majhi's government has not only promised to procure paddy at MSP of Rs 3,100 but has also announced a bonus of Rs 800 per quintal of paddy.
In addition to agricultural developments, Majhi also revealed that the government has submitted a proposal to the Centre for setting up an AIIMS in Sambalpur. This will bring advanced medical facilities closer to the people and is expected to be approved soon.
The launch of the CM-KISAN portal and Krushak Odisha Unified Portal was also a significant part of the event. With the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, and local MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, Majhi inaugurated these portals. Through the unified portal, farmers will have access to all necessary agriculture-related information and can register their complaints at any time of the year.
In conclusion, Majhi assured the farmers that his government is committed to their welfare and will continue to work towards their betterment. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, he believes that the state is on the path to progress and development. The event was also attended virtually by Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida.
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