Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) has been instrumental in providing considerable benefits to almost 11.78 Crore farmers in the past three years. With total funding surpassing Rs 1.82 lakh crore released across numerous instalments, this scheme has significantly impacted India’s agricultural scene. This article will delve into the key details of PM-KISAN, its scope, benefits, funding, objectives, and other related aspects.
PM Kisan: An Overview
Launched on 24th February 2019, PM Kisan was designed with the primary aim to strengthen the financial stability of landholding farmers in India. The initiative emerged as a solution for farmers’ increasing expenses related to farming equipment, seeds, fertilizers, and labour.
Financial Benefits and Delivery Method
One of the salient features of this scheme includes offering financial assistance worth Rs 6,000 per year to beneficiary farmers. Distributed in three equal instalments every four months, these amounts are directly transferred into the farmers’ bank accounts. This direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode ensures minimal paperwork and red-tapism, enabling swift and all-pervading access to the funds.
Scope and Eligibility Criteria of the Scheme
PM Kisan’s initial structure intended to cater to Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) possessing a landholding of up to 2 hectares. However, the government later expanded the scheme, making all landholding farmers eligible regardless of their land size.
Funding and Implementation Details
As a Central Sector Scheme, PM Kisan benefits from 100% funding from the central government. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare shoulders the responsibility for the scheme’s implementation, ensuring streamlined processing and proficient management.
Objectives behind PM Kisan
PM Kisan has a range of objectives to ensure the overall development and welfare of farmers in India. Along with offering financial assistance to Small and Marginal Farmers, it aims at aiding them in purchasing necessary farming inputs like fertilizers, seeds, etc. This assistance helps maintain proper crop health while ensuring appropriate yields that align with the expected farm income at the end of each crop cycle. Furthermore, the scheme seeks to protect farmers from ruthless moneylenders, enabling them to continue their farming activities without falling into debt traps.
PM-KISAN Mobile Application
The National Informatics Centre, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has developed and designed a dedicated PM-KISAN mobile application. This app provides a user-friendly platform for beneficiaries to access information about the scheme and monitor their benefit status.
Physical Verification Module
In line with the scheme’s provisions, a physical verification of 5% of the beneficiaries is conducted annually. This step is crucial to maintaining the transparency, credibility, and effectiveness of the initiative.
The PM Kisan Scheme, by offering financial benefits to millions of farmers across the country, has indeed become a beacon of hope. As a significant move towards enhancing the financial condition of the agricultural sector, it is an example of the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare. The effectiveness of this scheme can be gauged by its successful three-year track record and continues to strive towards a prosperous farming community.
