Article:
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, popularly known as PM-Kisan, is a government initiative aimed at benefiting small and marginal farmers across India. This scheme, introduced in February 2019, aims to provide financial assistance to eligible farmers for their agricultural needs and to ensure the security and prosperity of their families.
One of the crucial aspects of the PM-Kisan scheme is the beneficiary status, which determines whether a farmer is eligible to receive benefits or not. To understand the beneficiary status of PM-Kisan, let’s delve into the key criteria and guidelines set by the government.
1. Ownership of agricultural land: To be considered a beneficiary, the farmer must be the owner or cultivator of the agricultural land. The land can be owned individually or jointly, but the farmer must have the legal rights to cultivate it.
2. Landholding size: The government has set a specific landholding size limit to determine eligibility under PM-Kisan. Small and marginal farmers with a cultivable landholding of up to two hectares (or five acres, depending on the State/Union Territory) are considered eligible for the scheme.
3. Farmer categories: PM-Kisan classifies farmers into different categories to streamline the benefits effectively. The eligible farmer categories consist of individuals, institutional landholders, and farmer families, each with specific criteria to meet.
a. Individuals: Individual farmers who own land and meet the landholding size limit are eligible for PM-Kisan benefits. They should have valid proofs of land ownership and cultivation to be considered beneficiaries.
b. Institutional landholders: In some cases, land might be registered under the name of institutions like trusts, societies, or agricultural produce market committees. In such scenarios, the head of the institution can register as a beneficiary under PM-Kisan, provided they meet the specified landholding size criteria.
c. Farmer families: PM-Kisan also recognizes farmer families as beneficiaries, where the husband, wife, and minor children are considered a single beneficiary unit. In this case, the landholding criteria apply to the entire family unit combined.
4. Exclusions: While PM-Kisan aims to support small and marginal farmers, certain categories of individuals are excluded from the scheme. Farmers who hold constitutional posts, current or former MPs/MLAs, serving or retired government employees, and high-income taxpayers are not eligible for PM-Kisan benefits.
5. Application process: The application process for PM-Kisan is simple and farmer-friendly. Eligible farmers can apply for the scheme through the official PM-Kisan website or at their nearest Common Service Centers (CSCs) with relevant documents, such as land ownership proof, Aadhaar card, and bank account details.
6. Disbursement of benefits: Once approved as beneficiaries, farmers receive financial assistance directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The government disburses the funds in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, providing financial relief during the cropping seasons.
7. Regular updates and transparency: The PM-Kisan scheme ensures transparency by regularly updating the beneficiary list on its official website. Farmers are advised to check the website and verify their beneficiary status to stay informed about their eligibility and any possible discrepancies.
With the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, the Indian government aims to uplift small and marginal farmers by providing them with financial assistance directly. By understanding the beneficiary status requirements and guidelines, eligible farmers can confidently apply for the scheme and avail its benefits.