Kolkata: At a time when several farmers are protesting at Singhu border against the Centre's farm bills, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched ‘Krishak Bandhu’, a financial scheme for the farmers of the state.
Addressing a press conference, Mamata stated that under the Krishak Bandhu scheme, all the farmers having their own lands will receive Rs 10,000 per annum from the Trinamool Congress government.
“The farmers who have less than one acre of cultivable land will also receive a minimum of rupees 4,000 from their existing 2,000 rupees per annum, on a pro-rata basis. I assure everyone that the state government is working round the clock to deliver all the promises that were mentioned in the manifesto,” said Mamata.
Notably, during the poll campaign, TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee had announced an increase of financial aid in ‘Krishak Bandhu’ if voted back to power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the other hand, had also promised to offer rupees 10,000 to every farmer through Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana if the BJP was voted to power.
“All the farmers are getting benefits of Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and those who are getting it were also denied the sum. The moment I have announced Krishak Bandhu for farmers, the Centre today released rupees 290 crore through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT) for 9,78,535 farmers,” alleged the West Bengal Chief Minister.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced that the ruling Trinamool Congress government will review the farmland ravaged by Cyclone Yaas between July 1-8 and thereafter she will start ‘Duare Tran’ or ‘Duare Relief’ for the affected people.
Incidentally, on Thursday farmers of East and West Midnapore and South 24 Parganas, mainly those who are badly affected due to Cyclone Yaas received salt resistant ‘Swarna dhan’ seeds (golden paddy) that can be grown in saline land from the government.
The Chief Minister had also increased the pension of the farmers from 750 to rupees 1000.
“Farmers, if deceased between 18 to 60 years, will also be given compensation amount of rupees 2 lakh. Though there is unrest amongst the farmers in North India but farmers of West Bengal are enjoying all benefits. The TMC government has already distributed 20 lakh Kishan credit cards for the farmers and 186 ‘Kishan Mandis’ have been created. We provide MSP to the farmers for their farm produce,” stated Mamata.
Last week, BKU leader Rajesh Tikait visited West Bengal and sought help for the farmers' movement that has been going on for the last six months. CM Mamata Banerjee had also assured all help to the protesting farmers.
