Title: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: Empowering India’s Farmers
Introduction:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan) is a revolutionary initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing direct income support to small and marginal farmers across the country. Launched in February 2019, this scheme seeks to address the financial challenges faced by these farmers and facilitate their overall growth and development. This article will delve deeper into the salient features, benefits, and implementation of PM-Kisan.
Key Objectives:
The primary objective of PM-Kisan is to ensure a secure and stable income for farmers and to augment farmers’ resources for investment in productive activities. Through this scheme, the government aims to:
1. Provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers.
2. Boost agricultural productivity and enhance the socio-economic status of farmers.
3. Support farmers in meeting their agricultural needs, including purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs.
4. Lessen the dependency of farmers on informal sources of credit.
Eligibility Criteria:
Under PM-Kisan, farmers meeting the following criteria are eligible to avail the scheme’s benefits:
1. Small and marginal farmers who own cultivable land up to two hectares (or five acres).
2. Farmers from all states and union territories, including landless cultivators who are part of tenant farming or sharecropping arrangements.
3. Families holding constitutional posts, former or present MPs and MLAs, serving or retired government employees, and professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and engineers are considered ineligible.
Benefits and Disbursement:
PM-Kisan provides a direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers, payable in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The payment is made directly to the farmer’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. The first installment of ₹2,000 is credited in April-July, the second in August-November, and the third in December-March during each financial year.
Implementation and Registration:
To ensure seamless implementation of PM-Kisan, the government has introduced the PM-Kisan Portal (https://pmkisan.gov.in) where farmers can register themselves to avail the benefits. Additionally, state governments and Union Territories have also been actively engaged in the process to ensure the scheme reaches all eligible farmers.
Conclusion:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana represents a critical milestone in the government’s efforts to improve the lives of small and marginal farmers in India. By providing direct income support, the scheme aims to address the challenges faced by farmers and empower them to invest in their agricultural activities. Through PM-Kisan, the government seeks to ensure financial stability and enhanced livelihood opportunities for farmers, contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of rural India.