The Prime Minister recently unveiled the eighth installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), a direct cash transfer scheme aimed at providing financial support to India’s farmers. This scheme is a key initiative of the current government and has been in operation since February 2019.
Understanding the PM-KISAN scheme
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, the central government provides an annual monetary benefit of Rs 6,000. This sum is divided into three equal installments and directly deposited into the bank accounts of the farmers, irrespective of the size of their land holdings. The implementing agency for PM-KISAN is the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Funding and Execution of PM-KISAN
PM-KISAN is entirely financed by the Government of India, making it a central sector scheme. The implementation process is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The scheme is operational across all states and Union Territories (UTs) in the country.
Beneficiary Identification Process
The task of identifying eligible farmer families under PM-KISAN rests with the respective state and UT governments. These authorities are responsible for ensuring that the benefits of the scheme reach the deserving individuals.
Objectives of PM-KISAN
The primary objective of PM-KISAN is to supplement the financial needs of small and marginal farmers. These funds assist farmers in procuring necessary inputs that are critical in ensuring the health of the crops and securing adequate yields. The scheme aims to match the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
Moreover, PM-KISAN provides a safety net for farmers against falling into debt traps set by moneylenders for meeting farming-related expenses. By offering a consistent source of financial aid, the scheme ensures that farmers continue their farming activities without undue stress.
The PM-KISAN Mobile App
The government has also launched the PM-KISAN mobile app to improve the accessibility of the scheme. Developed and designed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, this app enables farmers to track the status of their application, update or correct details on their Aadhaar cards, and check the history of payments made to their bank accounts.
In summary, PM-KISAN represents an important step towards lifting the financial burdens faced by farmers in India. By providing steady financial support, the government hopes to encourage better agricultural practices, enhance yield, and ultimately secure the livelihoods of the farmer community.