Bhubaneswar, Match 16: The Biju Janata Dal on Saturday wrote a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of the state alleging that BJP has been trying to pressurise the Election Commission with an intention to stop the flow of KALIA funds to the farmers of the state. Under the Odisha government’s Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) Scheme, a sum of ₹10,000 a year for 1.4 million small farmers and Rs 12,500 for landless and tenant farmers is allotted.

Alleging the pressure tactics, the letter by BJD said, “It has come to our notice that BJP has been trying to pressurise the Election Commission with an intention to stop the flow of KALIA funds to the farmers of the state. If this were to come true, then more than 20 lakh farmers whose names are displayed at the Gram Panchayats across the state would be severely affected.” Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal Merge Schemes with PM-KISAN to Boost Farmers’ Income by 15%.

The further added, “Their (farmers) preparations for the upcoming cropping season would be dealt a major blow. The BJP should not be allowed to succeed in its design to stop the KALIA assistance to farmers due on 1st April, 2019.”

Considering the fact the both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would be taking place in the state from next months, the Naveen Patnaik’s government does not want to take a chance and ruin the efforts they made for the last five years. However, BJP is trying to enter the state this time with aim to form the government in the state. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Voting In 7 Phases From April 11 to May 19, Counting And Results On May 23; Check All Dates For General Elections.

Earlier, the Election Commission had announced that Lok Sabha polls would be conducted in seven phases in the country and the results would be declared on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 16, 2019 05:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).