Allahabad High Court Denies Compensation Under Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatana Scheme to Farmer Engaged in Irregular Employment

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a farmer who undertakes occasional non-agricultural work is not entitled to compensation under the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatana Scheme. The scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to farmers who suffer permanent disability or death due to accidents while engaged in agricultural activities. A fundamental requirement of the scheme is that beneficiaries must derive their primary livelihood from farming and be actively involved in agricultural work. The court emphasized that irregular engagement in non-agricultural activities disqualifies an applicant from availing the benefits, as the intent of the scheme is to protect those who depend entirely on farming for their sustenance.

In the matter before the court, the petitioner, a farmer by profession, had suffered injuries while working on his farmland. Upon investigation, however, it was revealed that he had been undertaking various odd jobs outside the agricultural sector intermittently. The state authorities examined this pattern of employment and concluded that the petitioner was not exclusively dependent on farming. Since the scheme explicitly caters to those whose primary income and livelihood are derived from agriculture, the authorities rejected the petitioner’s claim for compensation.

The petitioner challenged this decision, contending that he remained engaged in farming despite performing odd jobs and therefore should not be denied benefits. The High Court, however, concurred with the state authorities’ reasoning. It observed that the legislative and regulatory framework of the scheme was clear in mandating that applicants must be predominantly involved in agriculture. The intermittent engagement in non-agricultural work demonstrated that the petitioner’s livelihood was not solely dependent on farming, undermining his eligibility under the scheme.

The court further noted that the objective of the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatana Scheme is to support farmers who face inherent risks in agricultural work, which are different from risks associated with other types of employment. Providing compensation to individuals not primarily dependent on farming would dilute the purpose of the scheme and divert resources away from those for whom it was intended.

In conclusion, the High Court dismissed the petitioner’s claim, reinforcing that eligibility criteria for welfare schemes must be strictly adhered to. The ruling underscores the importance of demonstrating primary engagement in agriculture to qualify for benefits under the Mukhya Mantri Krishak Durghatana Scheme. This judgment highlights that welfare measures designed for specific occupational groups cannot be extended to individuals whose livelihoods are supplemented by other sources of income, ensuring that the scheme serves its intended beneficiaries effectively.

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