West Bengal Scheme: West Bengal Govt Announces 4000 Rupees Annual Aid for Farmers Starting April

West Bengal Scheme: The West Bengal government has unveiled a series of welfare schemes in the recent state budget, aiming to support various sections of society. While the increase in ‘Lakkhir Bhandar’ allowance and the introduction of the ‘Yuva Sathi’ scheme have garnered attention, a significant announcement has been made specifically for the state’s landless farmers. The government has introduced a special financial package for agricultural laborers who work on others’ land but do not own any farmland themselves.

Financial Assistance: Amount and Timeline

According to the state budget announcement, landless agricultural laborers will now receive an annual financial assistance of ₹4,000. This amount will be disbursed in two installments:

• The first installment will be released during the Rabi season.
• The second installment will be provided during the Kharif season.

Each installment will consist of ₹2,000. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking from Nabanna, confirmed that the distribution of these funds is set to begin as early as April.

Application Process and Special Camps

To facilitate the enrollment process, the Chief Minister clarified that the government will adopt a model similar to the popular ‘Duare Sarkar’ camps.

• Special camps will be organized in every Assembly Constituency.
• Eligible agricultural laborers must visit these camps to submit their applications.
• The government will create a comprehensive database of eligible workers who do not own agricultural land and are therefore ineligible for the existing ‘Krishak Bandhu (New)’ scheme.

Waiver on Irrigation Charges

In addition to direct cash transfers, the state government has provided major relief regarding irrigation costs. Previously, farmers had to pay approximately ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 to the government for using pumps or water for cultivation. Relying on private entities often escalated this cost to ₹3,000, leading to financial exploitation.

Under the new budget provisions, irrigation charges have been completely waived. Farmers will now be able to avail of these services for free, significantly reducing their cost of cultivation.

Bridging the Gap with Krishak Bandhu

The state already runs the ‘Krishak Bandhu’ scheme, where landowners with more than 1 acre receive ₹10,000, and those with smaller plots receive ₹4,000. However, landless laborers were previously excluded from this benefit. Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that this new initiative ensures that agricultural workers without land ownership are no longer left behind and will now receive ₹4,000 annually, bringing them under the umbrella of state social security.