Kolkata, March 14 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said the state's farmer-friendly initiative has benefited 1.4 crore people.
In a post on X on Krishak Divas, paying tribute to 14 people killed in police firing during the Nandigram anti-land acquisition protest on this day in 2007, Banerjee reiterated her government’s commitment to farmers.
According to her, the state has so far provided financial assistance of Rs 30,051 crore under the Krishak Bandhu (New) scheme, benefiting more than 1.14 crore farmers, sharecroppers, and cultivators.
"Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive Rs 10,000 annually, while those with very small landholdings receive a minimum of Rs 4,000. The amount is transferred directly to bank accounts in two installments during the Kharif and Rabi seasons," she said.
She said that besides farmers and sharecroppers, agricultural laborers are also provided financial assistance of Rs 4,000 annually in two installments.
Funds have started reaching the bank accounts of around 28 lakh applicants from March 8, she said.
Under the Krishak Bandhu (Death Benefit) component, more than 1.70 lakh farmer families have received assistance amounting to Rs 3,419 crore after the deaths of their loved ones as the earning member, she said.
Banerjee added that under the 'Bangla Shasya Bima' crop insurance scheme, the state government bears the entire premium.
So far, over 1.15 crore farmers have received compensation exceeding Rs 4,005 crore under the programme.
She further said more than 6.01 lakh agricultural machines have been distributed among farmers under the farm mechanisation programme at a cost exceeding Rs 1,321 crore.
In addition, 2,525 farm machinery hiring centres have been set up with government support to help farmers access modern equipment, she said.
The state government is also procuring paddy at the minimum support price (MSP) to prevent distress sales, with around 70 lakh metric tonnes of paddy being purchased this year, Banerjee said, adding that arrangements are also being made to procure other crops at fair prices.