The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) is a government scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2018 to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive Rs. 6,000 per year in three equal installments directly into their bank accounts.
To be eligible for the PM-Kisan scheme, farmers must meet certain criteria set by the government. The beneficiaries of the scheme are classified into three categories:
1. Small and Marginal Farmers: Farmers who own up to 2 hectares of land are considered small farmers, while those who own up to 1 hectare of land are classified as marginal farmers. These farmers are eligible to receive the benefits of the PM-Kisan scheme.
2. Institutional Landowners: Farmers who are institutional landowners, such as temples, trusts, universities, charitable institutions, etc., are not eligible for the scheme. Only individual farmers who own the land are eligible to apply for the PM-Kisan scheme.
3. Income Tax-Paying Farmers: Farmers who pay income tax and are part of the higher income bracket are not eligible for the PM-Kisan scheme. The scheme is aimed at providing financial assistance to small and marginal farmers who are struggling to make ends meet.
The process to apply for the PM-Kisan scheme is simple and can be done through the official portal of the scheme. Farmers need to provide their Aadhaar card details, bank account information, and land documents to prove their eligibility for the scheme. Once the application is approved, the first installment of Rs. 2,000 is credited to the farmer’s bank account, followed by two more installments of Rs. 2,000 each.
The PM-Kisan scheme has benefitted millions of small and marginal farmers across the country, providing them with the much-needed financial assistance to support their livelihoods. By ensuring direct transfer of funds to the farmers’ bank accounts, the government aims to eliminate middlemen and corruption in the agricultural sector, empowering farmers to lead a more secure and stable life.
Overall, the PM-Kisan scheme has been instrumental in uplifting the lives of farmers in India, and with continued support and implementation, it can have a significant impact on reducing poverty and improving the economic conditions of rural communities.