As per the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan Yojana), small and marginal farmers belonging to disadvantaged sections of society are identified as beneficiaries. The scheme provides direct income support of Rs. 6,000 per year to those farmers who own cultivable land, on the precondition of certain economic and social parameters.
The benefit of this scheme is available to all the farmers regardless of their cast, religion, and gender, residing in any part of India. The beneficiary status of the PM-Kisan Yojana depends on the fulfillment of conditions that have been laid down under the scheme. The farmers need to satisfy the following criteria:
1. Ownership of cultivable land: The farmer should have ownership of a piece of cultivable land, as per the land records held by the respective state government.
2. Size of cultivable land: The land holding of the farmer should be up to 2 hectares.
3. Financial status: The scheme aims to benefit those farmers who are economically poor and do not have access to any other support from the government. Hence, the farmer should belong to an economically weaker section of society.
4. Social status: The participation of women farmers is a significant focus area of this scheme. It includes the exclusion of any member of the household above the age of 18 who is a government employee, pensioner, or an income tax payee.
If the farmers satisfy these criteria, they can apply for the PM-Kisan Yojana by providing necessary documents such as land records, Aadhaar cards, and bank details.
The government has made the process of the application easy for the farmers by allowing them to register themselves via the PM-Kisan Yojana website or through the Common Service Centers (CSCs) located in their Gram Panchayats.
Once registered, the government transfers the first installment of Rs. 2,000 to the beneficiary’s bank account within 3-4 months. This grant runs up to three instalments a year. The government credits the installments directly into the bank accounts, thereby avoiding delays, intermediaries and, hence, encouraging greater accountability.
In conclusion, the PM-Kisan Yojana is a significant initiative of the government that aims at empowering farmers by providing them with steady financial support. Beneficiaries of this scheme are small and marginal farmers who belong to weaker sections of society and who own a piece of cultivable land. The government facilitates easy registration and transfer of grants directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. The scheme has proven effective in ensuring financial support to farmers and promoting inclusive growth for the overall development of the country.