Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a scheme launched by the Indian government in 2019 to provide financial assistance to farmers. The scheme aims to help farmers by providing financial assistance to meet their farming and agriculture-related expenses.
Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive a financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 per year, which is directly transferred to their bank accounts. The scheme covers small and marginal farmers who have less than two hectares of land. The scheme has currently disbursed over Rs. 90,000 crores to more than 10 crore beneficiaries across the country.
One of the main objectives of the PM-KISAN scheme is to provide income support to farmers, especially during times of crop loss or failure. The scheme helps farmers maintain a basic standard of living by providing financial assistance for their agricultural needs. The scheme also aims to boost the rural economy by increasing the income of farmers and their purchasing power.
To avail of the scheme, farmers need to register themselves through the PM-KISAN portal or through their respective state governments. Upon registration, their Aadhaar-linked bank account is credited with the financial assistance. The scheme has a provision of monitoring the implementation of the scheme at all levels through the PM-KISAN portal.
While the PM-KISAN scheme has brought significant relief to farmers across the country, there have been certain criticisms regarding the implementation of the scheme. Some critics argue that the scheme could be better targeted towards the most vulnerable farmers who are in need of financial assistance. There have also been issues regarding the exclusion of certain categories of farmers who do not have access to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
In conclusion, the PM-KISAN scheme is a significant step towards providing financial assistance to farmers and ensuring their economic well-being. However, there is a need for greater scrutiny and monitoring to ensure that the scheme reaches the most vulnerable farmers and that there is greater inclusivity in terms of beneficiary selection. With appropriate modifications, the scheme has the potential to be a robust mechanism for providing income support to Indian farmers.