As one of the biggest income support schemes for farmers in India, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is regarded as an effective tool for reviving the country’s agriculture sector. However, the scheme has been facing several challenges, especially regarding the release of installment payments to eligible farmers.
PM-KISAN was launched in February 2019 with the objective of providing direct income support of INR 6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers owning land up to 2 hectares. The scheme aimed to provide financial assistance to more than 120 million farmers across the country, with the funds being disbursed in three installments of INR 2,000 each.
While the scheme has been successful in providing financial assistance to farmers, many farmers have faced problems with the release of the installments. One of the significant issues reported by farmers is the delay in the release of the installments. Due to the delay, many farmers are unable to meet their immediate needs, such as purchasing necessary farming inputs, paying off debts, and meeting their daily household expenses.
The delay in the release of installments has been attributed to several reasons, including technical glitches in record-keeping and software, incorrect bank details, and delay in verification of the personal details of beneficiaries.
Another issue reported by farmers is the incorrect release of installment amounts. Many farmers have complained that they have not received the total amount entitled to them, leading to confusion and frustration.
To address these challenges, the government has taken several measures, including simplifying the application process, conducting awareness programs, and streamlining the verification process. The government has also directed banks to ensure timely and accurate credit of installments into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme has been successful in providing much-needed financial support to farmers in India. However, the delay and incorrect release of installment payments have caused problems for many farmers. To ensure the scheme’s success, the government must take proactive measures to address these challenges and ensure timely and accurate installment payments to eligible farmers.