As the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna (PM-KISAN) enters its third year, many eligible farmers are still struggling to receive the benefits promised by the scheme. The PM-KISAN was launched in February 2019 with the aim of providing financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers who own less than two hectares of land. However, several issues have emerged that prevent the farmers from accessing the scheme’s benefits.
One of the primary reasons why farmers are unable to receive money from the PM-KISAN is the lack of proper documentation. To be eligible for the scheme, a farmer has to provide various documents such as land records, Aadhaar cards, and bank account details. However, many farmers do not have these documents, which makes it impossible for them to avail of the scheme’s benefits. Moreover, a lack of awareness about the scheme also hinders farmers from getting enrolled.
Another significant challenge that the PM-KISAN scheme faces is the delay in receiving payments. Many farmers report that they have not received the payments on time, which leads to severe financial distress. The government has attributed the delays to technical glitches, such as incorrect bank account details, duplicates, or inactive accounts. However, farmers argue that the government needs to take urgent measures to streamline the payment process and ensure that they receive their dues on time.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further complicated matters for farmers as the lockdowns have resulted in the closure of bank branches, making it difficult for them to resolve issues related to the PM-KISAN scheme. Moreover, many farmers have also faced difficulties in travelling to government offices to complete formalities related to the scheme.
To address these issues, the government needs to take a proactive approach and make the PM-KISAN scheme more accessible and farmer-friendly. The government should leverage technology to make the application and payment process more streamlined and user-friendly. Moreover, it should implement a robust mechanism to resolve any issues related to the eligibility criteria, documentation, and payment delays.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme has the potential to provide much-needed financial assistance to small and marginal farmers in the country. However, the government needs to overcome several challenges to ensure that farmers can avail of the scheme’s benefits. Addressing these issues will go a long way in fostering rural development and improving the lives of farmers in the country.