Krishak Bondhu Scheme: WB Government Increases Annual Allocation to Farmers from Rs.5000 to Rs. 10000

The West Bengal Cabinet decided to hike the annual allocation to every farmer under the “Krishak Bondhu” scheme. Earlier it was Rs. 5000, which is now increased to Rs. 1, 0000.  

Hike in Allocation under Krishak Bondhu Scheme 

This decision comes a day after Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait called upon Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that West Bengal should work as a model state while urging to provide more benefits to the farmers. 

During the launch of the Krishak Bondhu Scheme, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that farmers will get Rs. 5000 per annum. However, now she has announced that the allocation for every farmer under the income support scheme would be doubled.  

PMKSNY vs Krishak Bondhu Scheme  

An official said, “In 2018, the West Bengal government has started the Krishak Bondhu scheme that went on to become a popular scheme in the entire country. And after this, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana was launched. Comparatively, the state’s scheme is better as it offers more benefits to farmers. Unlike, the PMKSNY, the Krishak Bondhu scheme provides assistance to farmers holding less than one-acre land.”

As per the sources, state wants to focus on “Krishak Bondhu” scheme as an important and beneficial farmers’ scheme that can acts as a model for all states. 

Hike in allocation for Farmers having Less than One-acre Land 

The decision of hike in allocation comes on the heels of the Centre announcing a hike in Minimum Support Price of Kharif Crops.  

With the acceptance of the CM’s proposal to increase the outlay to the farmers, the Cabinet has also decided to give Rs. 4000 per annum to the farmers with less than one-acre land, which was Rs. 2000 earlier.