As part of the Indian government’s efforts to provide a support system for farmers, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna (PM-KISAN) was launched in February 2019. The scheme aims to provide direct income support to farmers by transferring Rs. 6,000 annually in three instalments into their bank accounts. However, despite its positive intentions, the scheme has been facing several problems that have hindered its effectiveness.
One of the major issues has been the delay in payments to farmers. The scheme requires various levels of approvals before the payment is released, which has caused significant delays. Moreover, the eligibility criteria for the scheme are complex, which has resulted in many farmers being left out of the scheme. Besides, the scheme requires farmers to link their Aadhaar card to their bank account, which can be a cumbersome process for many farmers who lack access to proper documentation.
Another challenge has been that the PM-KISAN scheme only caters to small and marginal farmers with a landholding of up to two hectares. This leaves out a significant number of farmers who cultivate on larger lands. There have also been several reports of corruption, where middlemen and officials indulge in siphoning off the scheme’s benefits meant for farmers.
To address these issues, the government needs to streamline the implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme better. It should also simplify the eligibility criteria and documentation process to ensure that the maximum number of farmers benefit from the scheme. Additionally, the government must work to overcome the issue of corruption by providing transparency in the beneficiary selection process. There should also be measures to address the challenges faced by farmers such as availability of water, access to finance, and technology adoption.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme is a crucial step towards addressing the income and livelihood challenges faced by farmers. However, there is a need for significant improvement in its implementation to ensure that the benefits reach the deserving beneficiaries without any hindrances. It is essential for the government to take appropriate measures to simplify the process, curb corruption, and ensure transparency to make the scheme a success and help farmers lead a better life.