PM Modi agreed to PM-KISAN Nidhi Instalment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently greenlit the distribution of the 17th instalment of funds under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana, allocating a total of 20,000 crore to 9.3 crore farmers. This marks a significant step in his third consecutive term, with the scheme providing crucial financial assistance to farmers across the country. Launched in 2019, PM-KISAN aims to support farmers by providing them with Rs 6,000 annually, distributed in three equal instalments.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
PM-KISAN, also known as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, is a central sector programme initiated by the Indian government to provide income support to farmers and their families. The scheme, which originated from the Rythu Bandhu programme in Telangana, was later adopted nationally, with Piyush Goyal announcing its implementation during the 2019 Interim Union Budget of India on February 1st.
| Aspect | Details |
| Scheme | PM-KISAN |
| Launch Year | 2019 |
| Objective | Supplement financial needs of land-holding farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Financing | 100% financed by the central government |
| Benefit | Rs. 6000/- annually transferred in three equal installments of Rs. 2000/- into Aadhaar Seeded bank accounts of farmers |
| Identification | State Governments and Union Territory administrations are responsible for identifying eligible farmer families based on scheme guidelines |
Objectives of PM-KISAN Nidhi
- Provision of income support to all eligible land-holding farmers and their families.
- Augmentation of financial resources for farmers to acquire necessary inputs, ensuring optimal crop health and yields, aligning with expected farm income.
Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
All small and marginal farmer households, irrespective of landholding size, owning cultivable land, qualify for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Exclusion Categories of PM-KISAN Nidhi
Not all farmers are eligible for financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) due to various exclusion categories. The following groups are ineligible for PM-KISAN:
- Institutional landholders.
- Farmer families falling under any of these categories:
- Present and former holders of constitutional posts.
- Former and current ministers/state ministers.
- Present and former members of Rajya Sabha/State Legislative Assemblies/Lok Sabha/State Legislative Councils.
- Former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations.
- Present and former Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
- All officers and employees of State and Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Offices, including their field units, as well as State and Central PSEs and Attached Autonomous Institutions/Offices under the Government, and regular employees of Local Bodies (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Group D/Class IV employees).
- Retired or superannuated pensioners receiving a monthly pension of at least 10,000 Japanese Yen (excluding members of Multi-Tasking Staff, Group D, and Class IV personnel of the aforementioned categories).
- Individuals who paid income taxes in the most recent Assessment Year.
- Professionals such as engineers, architects, lawyers, surgeons, and chartered accountants who practice their professions through professional bodies.
Features of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
1. Income Support: The scheme ensures a minimum income for farmers, providing three equal instalments of Rs. 6000 every four months to eligible farming families.
2. Usage Flexibility: Beneficiaries have full discretion over how they use the funds, allowing them to address various needs and expenses.
3. Funding: The Indian government solely finances the PM-KISAN program, initially allocating Rs. 75,000 crore annually, with direct transfers facilitated through DBT to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
4. Identification Responsibility: State and Union Territory administrations are responsible for identifying recipients, while the Government of India handles funding. Eligibility requires farmer families to include a husband, wife, and minor child/children as determined by these authorities.
Advantages of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
1. DBT: Direct fund transfers eliminate intermediaries, streamlining the process.
2. Great Coverage: The scheme encompasses all farmer families nationwide, irrespective of landholding size.
3. Digitization: Official digital platforms streamline registration and fund transfers, enhancing efficiency.
4. Liquidity to Farmers: PM-KISAN alleviates liquidity constraints, enabling farmers to address agricultural, domestic, and allied expenses.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Issues
1. Exclusions: Tenant farmers and landless agricultural laborers are excluded from the program.
2. Grievance Redressal: The scheme lacks a clear framework for addressing grievances.
3. Coverage Challenges: Limited coverage in various states, with fewer than 0.5% of beneficiaries in states like Karnataka, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
4. Inadequate Funding: Farmers advocate for increased funding to cover farming inputs and family needs adequately.
Implementation Challenges and State Initiatives
- The PM-KISAN program's execution in West Bengal during the seventh installment highlighted regional disparities.
- Some states, such as Odisha (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation), Madhya Pradesh (Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana), and Telangana (Rythu Bandhu), have introduced similar initiatives to support farmers.