Over 36 lakh farmers have benefitted from the West Bengal government’s Krishak Bandhu scheme in the last financial year, and the number has been targeted at 41 lakh with Rs. 486.32 crore worth benefits in 2019-20.
The state’s flagship programme Krishak Bandhu scheme, has distributed cheques to approximately 37 lakh farmers in the state. It was launched in 2019 by the Bengal government. A similar programme, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi was launched by the Centre in 2018. Under the Central government scheme, an annual benefit of Rs. 6000 is given to farmers.
However, West Bengal had differences with the Centre over reducing the Centre’s share of grants in several ongoing schemes in the state, and the scheme was discontinued in Bengal.
Under this programme, farmers with one or more acre of land is entitled to Rs 5,000 annually (rabi and kharif season) assistance with a minimum annual assistance on pro rata basis.
Farmers’ families are also entitled, under its “Death Benefit Scheme” a one time assistance of Rs 2 lakh. Digital smart cards are given to farmers once they enrol.
The scheme is different from the Central scheme in that all types of farmers –from sharecroppers to tenant farmers – benefit from this scheme. This is especially important in Bengal as most farming land here is divided among tenant farmers. The state government has been urging more farmers to enrol themselves under the programme.
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