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A comprehensive welfare scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal to provide financial assistance and social security to farmers and agricultural laborers in the state, aiming to reduce agrarian distress and ensure a stable income.
Target Beneficiaries: 1 crore farmers and agricultural laborers in West Bengal (landowners with cultivable land, age 18-60 years) receiving ₹10,000/acre annually and ₹2 lakh social security for deceased farmers families
Implementing Agency: Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal
Annually allocated by the Government of West Bengal; specific figures vary each fiscal year but are substantial for a state-level scheme.
Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% State Government of West Bengal
GS Paper: GS3
Syllabus Tags
Launched in January 2019, revamped in 2021 as 'Krishak Bandhu (Natun)' to double the financial assistance.
Annual income support paid in two installments (Kharif and Rabi).
One-time grant to families of deceased farmers.
Metric
1.02 Crore
Source: WB Govt Budget 2023
Metric
Over ₹12,500 Crore
Source: Department of Agriculture WB
The Krishak Bandhu scheme is West Bengal's flagship direct benefit transfer (DBT) for farmers, often compared to PM-KISAN. A critical advantage is the lower eligibility floor (even those with tiny holdings get a minimum of ₹4,000) and the inclusion of 'Bargadars' (sharecroppers), who are often excluded from central schemes. However, like most DBT schemes, it is land-record dependent. While the death benefit provides a social safety net, the scheme's ability to drive agricultural 'productivity' (versus just providing 'income support') is a subject of debate in state agricultural policy.
Compare the Krishak Bandhu scheme with PM-KISAN in terms of inclusivity and impact on the agricultural labor class.
A prime example of state-level social security in agriculture. It highlights the importance of including sharecroppers in the definition of 'beneficiary'. Useful for discussions on federalism (State vs. Central schemes like PM-KISAN) and the specific agrarian structure of Eastern India.