The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna (PM-KISAN) was launched in February 2019 by the Government of India with the aim of providing financial support to small and marginal farmers in India. The main objective of the scheme is to provide direct income support of Rs. 6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers, paid in three equal installments of Rs. 2,000 each every four months.
However, despite the good intentions behind the PM-KISAN scheme, there are several problems and challenges that are hindering its successful implementation. One of the major problems with the scheme is the identification and verification of beneficiaries. Many eligible farmers are not receiving the benefits due to incorrect data entry, lack of proper documentation, and inadequate infrastructure in rural areas. The process of verification requires physical verification of the landholdings and the identity of the farmers, which is a time-consuming and cumbersome process.
Another major issue with the PM-KISAN scheme is the exclusion of many eligible farmers due to various limitations and restrictions in the scheme. The scheme only covers small and marginal farmers who own less than 2 hectares of land, which excludes a large number of farmers who may be economically vulnerable. Additionally, tenant farmers, sharecroppers, and women farmers who do not have land in their name are not covered under the scheme, which results in significant exclusion and discrimination.
Moreover, the timely disbursement of funds remains a major challenge in the successful implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme. The government has initiated a digital platform to ensure the timely transfer of funds directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts, but due to technical glitches and other operational issues, many farmers face significant delays in receiving the payments.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme has the potential to provide much-needed financial support to small and marginal farmers, but there are several critical issues that need to be addressed for its successful implementation. These include more effective measures for beneficiary identification, extending the coverage to all vulnerable farmers, and improving the implementation process to ensure timely and hassle-free disbursement of funds. Only then can this scheme effectively help to improve the lives and livelihoods of India’s farming community.