Title: Beneficiary Status of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana
Introduction:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a significant government initiative in India aimed at improving the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. Launched in 2019, this scheme provides direct income support to eligible farmers across the country. In this article, we will discuss the beneficiary status of PM-KISAN and shed light on the criteria that determine an individual farmer’s eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the PM-KISAN scheme, a farmer must fulfill the following criteria:
1. Ownership of Agricultural Land: Farmers who own cultivable land in their name are eligible. This extends to even those farmers who lease out their lands, as long as they are actively involved in farming.
2. Landholding Size: The scheme caters to small and marginal farmers who own up to 2 hectares of land. Small farmers are defined as those with landholding between 0.01 and 1 hectare, while marginal farmers possess land between 1 and 2 hectares.
3. Farmer’s Identity: Beneficiaries must possess a valid and operational Aadhaar card, as it serves as a primary identification document for verification purposes.
4. Exclusion Criteria: The PM-KISAN scheme notably excludes individuals falling under higher-income brackets, such as institutional landholders, income tax payees, serving or retired government employees, and professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers.
Beneficiary Registration Process:
To avail the benefits of PM-KISAN, eligible farmers need to register themselves with the scheme. The registration can be done at local Common Service Centers (CSCs) or online through the official PM-KISAN portal. The required documents for registration include a filled-in application form, valid identity proof, land ownership documents, and Aadhaar card details.
Verification and Beneficiary Status:
Once the registration is completed, the information provided by the farmer is cross-verified with existing government databases to validate their eligibility. This verification process involves verifying land records, Aadhaar-based identification, and other relevant documentation. After successful verification, beneficiaries are categorized as “Verified” and their names are added to the PM-KISAN beneficiary list.
Benefit Disbursement:
Under the PM-KISAN scheme, eligible farmers receive a fixed income support of Rs. 6,000 annually in three equal installments. The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), facilitating transparency and reducing corruption.
Checking Beneficiary Status:
Farmers can check their beneficiary status and the availability of funds through the official PM-KISAN portal or by contacting the nearest CSC center. By entering their Aadhaar card number or mobile number on the portal, farmers can access the required information and track the progress of their application.
Conclusion:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a revolutionary scheme aimed at providing crucial financial support to small and marginal farmers in India. By ensuring proper eligibility criteria and transparent verification processes, the scheme aims to directly benefit those who truly require assistance. With the prompt disbursement of funds, PM-KISAN has proven to be instrumental in uplifting the lives of countless farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector across the country.