Kolkata, Nov. 5 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday announced financial assistance for over 50 lakh farmers under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi scheme at a programme in Pursurah, Hooghly. He also promised special packages and other welfare measures, adding that farmers whose crops were damaged by recent rains had been compensated.

Adhikari said eligible beneficiaries would receive an additional Rs 3,000 from the state government, over and above the Rs 6,000 annual assistance provided under the Centre's PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

The money would be transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

The state government's intervention is aimed at supplementing the Centre's assistance and providing additional financial support to farming households. The scheme was approved by the state cabinet last month, with the government positioning it as a major component of its rural welfare agenda.

The Pursurah programme assumes significance as Hooghly and neighbouring districts have a substantial population dependent on potato cultivation. Potato growers have faced considerable financial uncertainty following market disruptions and inadequate prices for their produce.

Adhikari had indicated ahead of Thursday's programme that his government would announce a special relief package for potato farmers who suffered losses during the previous crop season.

The proposed intervention is particularly significant for growers in Hooghly, East Burdwan and other potato-producing districts.

The chief minister's farmer outreach also comes amid the government's efforts to demonstrate a shift towards direct delivery of welfare benefits, with an emphasis on bank transfers and beneficiary identification.

The Mukhyamantri Krishak Samman Nidhi is among the new government's measures to strengthen agricultural support and improve rural purchasing power.

The scale of the proposed coverage - over 50 lakh farmers - makes it one of the administration's major direct-benefit initiatives. Agriculture Minister Dudhkumar Mondal was also present in the programme.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.