Title: Understanding the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a central sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India. Launched on February 24, 2019, by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the initiative is aimed at providing income support to all landholding farmer families across the country. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the PM-KISAN Yojana, outlining its significance, eligibility criteria, and benefits.
**Purpose of the Scheme**
India is an agrarian economy with a significant part of the population engaged in agriculture and allied sectors. However, farmers in India often face financial instability due to various factors such as unpredictable weather, rising debt, and fluctuating market prices. Recognizing this, the Government of India introduced the PM-KISAN scheme as a step to augment the income of small and marginal farmers, thereby enabling them to meet their agricultural needs and ensuring their welfare.
**Eligibility Criteria**
The benefit of the PM-KISAN scheme is available to all the landholding farmer families who own cultivable land as per land records of the respective State or Union Territory. The following criteria define the eligibility of the beneficiaries:
1. The family comprising husband, wife, and minor children who own cultivable land as per land records.
2. All landholding farmer families with ownership of up to 2 hectares of cultivable land.
3. The scheme is applicable to all states and UTs, and the fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
It’s important to note that certain categories of beneficiaries such as institutional landholders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired government employees, and professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers with higher economic status are excluded from the scheme.
**Benefits of the Scheme**
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, an amount of INR 6,000 per year is provided to eligible farmer families. This amount is paid in three equal installments of INR 2,000 each, every four months directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The scheme assures a minimum income to the farmer families, helping them to manage their farming expenses and related financial obligations, especially during the times when the crop yield is low due to adverse weather conditions or any other unexpected factors.
**Implementation Process**
To ensure that the benefits reach the rightful claimants, state and UT governments have been tasked with identifying the farmer families eligible for the scheme. The entire process involves:
1. Self-registration by farmers followed by verification by local revenue officers.
2. Creation and updating of a database containing the beneficiaries’ information.
3. Aadhaar linkage to validate the identity of the beneficiaries and ensure the elimination of fraud.
4. Regular monitoring and auditing of the scheme to ensure transparency and effective implementation.
**Impact on Indian Agriculture**
Since its inception, the PM-KISAN scheme has provided much-needed financial support to millions of farmer families. The scheme has shown a positive impact on rural economies by increasing the purchasing power of the farmers, leading to a boost in rural consumption and aiding in the revival of the agricultural sector through investments made by farmers in quality seeds, equipment, and sustainable farming practices.
**Conclusion**
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a pivotal initiative by the Government of India that seeks to support the backbone of the Indian economy – the farmers. By providing a structured direct income support, the scheme helps small and marginal farmers to alleviate their financial difficulties and improve their agricultural productivity. As the scheme progresses, it promises not only to promote the welfare of farmers but also to reinforce the agricultural sector, contributing to the nation’s goal of achieving a more robust and sustainable rural economy.