Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday signed the release of the 17th instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN Nidhi) scheme.
This move aimed to benefit over 93 million farmers across India. This involves the disbursement of more than Rs 20,000 crore under the project. The 16th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme was previously released on February 28, 2024.
“Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan (farmers’ welfare). It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come,” said Prime Minister Modi in his statement.
Understanding PM-KISAN Nidhi
PM-KISAN Nidhi is a scheme of the central government launched in December 2018. Its main goal is to support the income of farmers with an annual financial assistance of Rs 6,000. The amount is dispensed in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each in their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer at an interval of every four months.
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Key Points of PM-KISAN Nidhi Scheme
Scheme Introduction and Goals: The PM-KISAN scheme was launched in December 2018 with its main objective of providing financial help to the small and marginal farmers in maintaining their crop health and proper yield.
Financial Assistance: Under the PM-KISAN scheme, the farmers receive Rs 6,000 per annum in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 credited directly in their bank accounts.
Number of Beneficiaries: Till now, a total of over 93 million farmers have been benefitted from the scheme in the 16th installment, with each of them receiving Rs 2,000.
Process to Receive 17th Installment
To avail of the 17th instalment, the enrolled farmers will have to undertake the process that involves specific paperwork, known as e-know your customer (KYC). Below are the steps to complete the eKYC process for PM-KISAN in detail:
Go to the Official Website: The first step is to visit the PM-KISAN official website.
Find eKYC Option: In the “farmer corner” section, the option “eKYC” is to be selected.
Enter Aadhaar Details: The farmer is required to fill in the 12-digit Aadhaar number.
Verification by OTP Mode: Then, click on the “search” tab, enter the OTP that has been sent to the Aadhaar-registered mobile number, and then click on the “submit” tab.
Another way to carry out the eKYC is by visiting a nearby Common Service Centre and providing the Aadhaar number, following which the biometric will be verified.
Checking PM-KISAN Instalment Status
Farmers can check the status of their PM-KISAN instalment by following these steps:
Visit the PM-KISAN Website: Go to the PM-KISAN website.
Access ‘Beneficiary Status’: Under the ‘farmers corner’ section, click on ‘beneficiary status.’
Enter Required Details: Input your registered Aadhaar number or bank account number.
View Status: Click on ‘get data’ to view the status of your PM-KISAN instalment.
Government’s Commitment to Farmers
Prime Minister Modi reiterated the government’s dedication to farmers’ welfare after signing the file for the 17th instalment. “Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come,” he stated.
PM-KISAN Scheme: Beneficiaries and Impact
More than 93 million farmers received Rs 2,000 as part of the 16th instalment of the PM-KISAN Yojana, and these beneficiaries are now set to receive the 17th instalment. The government releases Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments to eligible farmers under this scheme.
The Union Agriculture Ministry, in a release, stated that after being sworn in as Prime Minister for the third time, Mr. Modi’s first file signed was the authorization for the release of the seventeenth instalment of PM-KISAN Nidhi. “This will benefit 9.3 crore farmers and distribute around ₹20,000 crore,” the release added.
Political Repercussions and Criticisms
The general secretary of the Congress party, Jairam Ramesh, described the signing of the file as a “great show.” The party attacked the scheduling of the instalments. The 16th instalment, which was due in January 2024, was dragged by a month to call it an electoral sop, said Mr. Ramesh. He informed that the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct had caused the delaying of the 17th instalment.
“The 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi was due in April-May 2024, but was delayed by the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. The ‘one-third’ Pradhan Mantri has done nobody a great favor by signing this file: these are legitimate entitlements due to farmers according to his Government’s own policy,” Mr. Ramesh remarked.
Demands and Suggestions from Congress
He urged the Prime Minister to give MSP a legal status and make an announcement on a farm loan waiver while ensuring the support through a Permanent Commission for the proper implementation of these. He sought an insurance payment guarantee within 30 days of crop loss directly in the bank account of farmers and consultations with farmers for framing a new export-import policy. He also demanded that there should be no more GST on essential farming inputs.
Conclusion
The 17th instalment of the PM-KISAN Nidhi scheme has been, really, going on to showcase the continuation of the Indian government’s will to support the farmers. Financial assistance provided through the scheme ensures timely disbursement, which will indeed increase the welfare and productivity of millions of farmers across the country. How complex and controversial is the implementation of such large-scale welfare programs is underlined by political responses and criticisms of the scheme.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has consistently emphasized its commitment to the welfare of farmers. Through various initiatives and schemes like PM-KISAN, the BJP government aims to uplift the agricultural sector and ensure financial stability for farmers. These efforts reflect the party’s broader vision of rural development and agricultural prosperity, aligning with their goal of doubling farmers’ income.
But welfare schemes such as the PM-KISAN Nidhi are going to be extremely crucial, more so now, to maintain the momentum at the grassroots level for continued growth and development.