Bhubaneswar: Total 60 lakh people have applied to be included under KALIA scheme in the first phase, informed the State Cooperation Secretary Krishan Kumar here today.

The application process to receive the benefits under KALIA scheme concluded yesterday. The verification process started in blocks. The final list of beneficiaries will be out by January 22 following verification, the official said.

The beneficiaries under the KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme will start getting monetary assistance by January 25. The amount will be credited to the bank accounts of 12-14 lakh beneficiaries in the first phase.

Notably, the scheme was launched by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to benefit about 92% of the farmers in the State. The scheme will provide financial assistance, livelihood and cultivation support to the small, marginal and landless farmers in Odisha.