TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Considering the slow response to the State government’s digital Krishi Card facility, the Directorate of Agriculture has announced that farmers without Krishi Card would henceforth not be eligible for benefits under government sponsored agricultural subsidy.
Though, as per rough estimate state has over 50,000 agriculture and dairy farmers, the department has received only 7,400 applications for Krishi Card, since its introduction in April, this year. The department has already processed 1,800 applications.
Agriculture department official confirmed that the facility is not receiving good response, despite the fact that Krishi card will eliminate the old process wherein farmers had to submit land documents, affidavits, every time they applied for agro subsidy.
“The facility is a boost to farmers, who don’t have to come with documents every time for availing benefit under specific scheme. Now they just have to quote the unique identity number to get access to the subsidy,” the officer said.
“We have now decided that the farmers who do not register themselves under Krishi Card, will not be given any benefits of agro schemes,” officer added.
BJP government on April 29 launched digital Krishi Card with an aim to help farmers make use of benefits such as subsidies and loans given by the government. Government has set a target of one year (ending 2013-14 FY) to cover all farmers under the Krishi Card. However, the card would not be a legal document if the farmer or tenant wants to stake his claim over the land.
