Bhubaneswar: The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government today disbursed money to 33 lakh more eligible farmers under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme through direct benefit transfer (DBT), on the first day it assumed office.

“As part of our commitment to farmers, today in our first Cabinet meeting, the target of KALIA beneficiaries has been increased to 75 lakh farm families. This is 33 lakh more than the existing 42 lakh families. Fund release starts from today with immediate effect and about 25 lakh additional families will be assisted in a week’s time,” Naveen Patnaik told media in a breefing at state secretariat.

He further said: “In a historic initiative towards economic empowerment of women the Cabinet in its first meeting approved thousand crores worth of Government business to be done by Women SHGs through Mission Shakti. Forty different types of activities such as paddy procurement, uniforms for children, hospital diet and mosquito nets, Mid Day Meal will be part of this in the first phase.”

With these two resolutions the promise I had made about KALIA and Mission Shakti to be implemented on the day we assume office, is honoured, he added.

BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik today took oath of secrecy for the fifth consecutive term.