Recently, there has been a significant decrease in the number of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme. The number has dropped by more than 20% from a peak of 10.47 crore beneficiaries in April-July 2022 to 8.12 crore. However, the government’s proactive measures, particularly the initiation of the “saturation drive” under the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, have successfully added 34 lakh farmers back to the list of beneficiaries.
Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Explained
Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is a nationwide awareness-raising campaign aimed at achieving saturation of various Government of India schemes across the country. This campaign includes all Gram Panchayats, Nagar Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies and is carried out with the collaboration of numerous Ministries, Departments, and State Governments, along with Central Government Organizations and Institutions.
The key objectives of the campaign include reaching out to vulnerable individuals eligible for various schemes but have not availed them so far, disseminating information, generating awareness about the schemes, interacting with beneficiaries, and enrolling potential beneficiaries.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan)
Launched in December 2018, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan) was designed to supplement the financial needs of landholding farmers. The scheme entails a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year, which is transferred in three equal installments every four months via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode into farmers’ families’ bank accounts.
Initially meant for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) with a landholding of up to 2 hectares, the scope of the scheme was later expanded to include all landholding farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implements this Central Sector Scheme, enjoying 100% funding from the Government of India.
Challenges Faced by PM-Kisan
Despite the benefits of the PM-Kisan scheme, several challenges hinder its effective implementation. Mandatory land seeding provisions and Aadhaar linkage requirements introduce complexity, making it difficult for farmers to comply. Additionally, disparities in technology access, including smartphones and internet connectivity, may impede farmers’ ability to engage with the online processes of the scheme. Besides, a lack of awareness and outreach initiatives struggle to reach all segments of the farming community.
Improving the Effectiveness of PM-Kisan
To address these challenges, several measures can be taken. A comprehensive review of mandatory land seeding provisions and Aadhaar linkage requirements could simplify the process, while technology can be utilized to create user-friendly platforms for seamless compliance.
Community-level engagement programs can be established to reach vulnerable farmers, and collaboration with local authorities, agricultural services, and NGOs can help identify and support eligible farmers unaware of PM-Kisan benefits.
Understanding Aadhaar Linkage
Aadhaar helps service providers authenticate residents’ identity electronically, delivering services more cost-effectively and efficiently. However, it is not proof of citizenship. Aadhaar may be deactivated under certain contingencies, such as mixed or anomalous biometric information, multiple names under one name, or non-usage for three consecutive years. These factors often compound the challenges farmers face when trying to benefit from PM-Kisan.
