Karnataka Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Having a reliable source of water is important for farming, but small farmers may find it difficult to arrange borewells and other irrigation facilities because of the high cost. To help Arya Vysya community farmers develop irrigation facilities on their agricultural land, the Government of Karnataka provides support under the Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme. The scheme is implemented by the Karnataka Arya Vysya Community Development Corporation Limited (KACDC).

KACDC is responsible for implementing the scheme and selecting eligible beneficiaries through a district-level selection committee headed by the Chief Executive Officer. Applicants can check the latest scheme details and apply online through the official Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme portal.

Under the scheme, eligible farmers can get a loan of up to ₹2 lakh at 4% annual interest, along with ₹75,000 assistance for electrification. The scheme is meant for small farmer families who have agricultural land but do not have irrigation facilities. Applicants must belong to the Arya Vysya community in the General Category and have a valid caste and income certificate in Form-G.

The scheme also has specific conditions related to income, age and landholding. The applicant's annual family income should be within ₹6 lakh, the applicant should be above 21 and below 55 years of age, and the applicant should have 2 to 15 acres of land at one location. The loan is provided without collateral security, and having a FRUITS ID is mandatory.

The scheme also provides reservation during beneficiary selection, with 33% for women, 5% for persons with disabilities and 5% for transgender applicants. Beneficiaries must follow the prescribed technical requirements, including the use of BEE-certified 4-star or 5-star submersible pump sets and ISI-standard pump sets and accessories.

Farmers who want to explore other irrigation support schemes in Karnataka can also read about the Karnataka Ganga Kalyana Scheme. Both schemes focus on helping eligible farmers access irrigation facilities, but they are implemented separately for different communities, and their benefits and eligibility conditions may differ.

Scheme Benefits

The Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme provides financial support to eligible Arya Vysya small farmers for developing irrigation facilities on their agricultural land. The major benefits available under the scheme are as follows:

• A maximum loan of ₹2 lakh is provided at an interest rate of 4% per annum.
• ₹75,000 assistance is provided towards electrification.
• The loan is provided without collateral security.
• The scheme supports the development of irrigation facilities for agricultural land without existing irrigation facilities.
• Beneficiaries can install a BEE-certified 4-star or 5-star submersible pump set as prescribed under the scheme.
• Women, persons with disabilities and transgender applicants are provided reservation during beneficiary selection as prescribed under the scheme.

Financial Assistance

The financial support under the Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme consists of a low-interest loan for irrigation-related requirements and separate assistance towards electrification.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the community, residence, income, age, landholding and agricultural conditions prescribed under the Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme.

• The applicant must belong to the Arya Vysya community in the General Category.
• The applicant must have a valid caste and income certificate in Form-G.
• The applicant must be a resident of Karnataka and have a permanent address in the state.
• The applicant's mobile number must be linked with Aadhaar.
• The applicant's Aadhaar must be seeded with the bank account.
• The applicant's family annual income should be within ₹6 lakh.
• The applicant should be above 21 years and below 55 years of age.
• The applicant should belong to a small farmer family.
• The applicant should have a minimum of 2 acres and a maximum of 15 acres of land at one location.
• The applicant should have a certificate from the Revenue authorities confirming that they are a small farmer and do not have irrigation facilities.
• The applicant must obtain a FRUITS ID by submitting the required documents at the designated centre.

Reservation for Beneficiaries

The Corporation provides reservation for specific categories while selecting beneficiaries under the scheme. The prescribed reservation is as follows:

• Women: 33%
• Persons with disabilities: 5%
• Transgender applicants: 5%

Other Important Conditions

Beneficiaries must comply with the technical and repayment conditions specified by the Corporation before and after receiving the scheme benefit.

• The loan is provided without collateral security.
• If the unit cost exceeds ₹2 lakh, the beneficiary must submit a self-declaration stating that they will bear the additional cost themselves.
• The beneficiary must install a BEE-certified 4-star or 5-star submersible pump set.
• The pump set and supplementary materials must meet ISI standards.
• The loan must be repaid online in 34 monthly instalments over 3 years after a 6-month grace period, at 4% interest.
• If no water is found after the borewell is drilled, the applicant is required to repay only the principal amount in 34 monthly instalments over 3 years.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the required certificates and records ready before starting the online application process. The documents specifically mentioned under the scheme include:

• Aadhaar Card
• Valid caste certificate in Form-G
• Valid income certificate in Form-G
• Bank account details with Aadhaar seeding
• Small farmer certificate issued by the Revenue authorities
• Certificate confirming that the agricultural land does not have irrigation facilities
• Land ownership/land records as required for verification
• FRUITS ID
• Self-declaration for bearing the additional cost, where the unit cost exceeds ₹2 lakh

Steps to Apply

Applicants can complete the Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme application through the online facility provided on the KACDC portal. The application process involves Aadhaar-based e-KYC and verification of the applicant's agricultural and personal details.

1. Open the official Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme portal of the Karnataka Arya Vysya Community Development Corporation.
2. Select the "Apply Online" option.
3. Choose "Vasavi Jalashakti Scheme" from the available scheme options.
4. Read the displayed scheme guidelines carefully before proceeding with the application.
5. Click on the "Click to Proceed" option.
6. On the e-KYC page, enter your Aadhaar number, select the required consent option and proceed with OTP authentication.
7. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and submit it for verification.
8. Check the displayed personal details, including your name, date of birth and photograph. If the information is correct, proceed to the next step.
9. Enter your RD number and use the verification option.
10. Enter the required address and other personal details, including the relevant district and PIN code.
11. Enter your Farmer ID/FRUITS ID and complete the verification.
12. Provide the remaining information requested in the application, including your email ID, alternate mobile number and electrification method.
13. Review the information displayed on the confirmation page, select the required declaration and continue.
14. Check all details carefully on the Preview Page.
15. If any information needs to be corrected, use the "Edit Application" option and update the details.
16. After confirming that all information is correct, click "Submit Application."
17. Download the submitted application form and keep a copy for future reference.

Application and Selection Process

After the online application is submitted, eligible applicants are considered for selection through a district-level selection committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive Officer. The applicant's community status, income, landholding, farmer status, irrigation status and other prescribed conditions are subject to verification before selection.

Relevant Links

• Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme – Official KACDC Portal
• Karnataka Arya Vysya Community Development Corporation – Official Website
• Karnataka Vasavi Jalashakthi Scheme Details On The Official Portal

Contact Information

Karnataka Arya Vysya Community Development Corporation Limited (KACDC)

• Helpline: 08022868888, 9448451111
• Helpline Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
• Email ID: [email protected]
• Address: 16/J, Karnataka Regional Chapter Building, 1st Floor, Millers Tank Bead Area, Vasanthanagar, Bengaluru - 560 052.