As the Indian Government launched the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in 2019, it started to bring relief to the agricultural sector. The scheme provided a financial aid of Rs. 6,000 a year to the farmers of the country. However, the scheme has faced some challenges that need attention.
The first issue associated with the scheme is the identification of beneficiaries. The central government planned to identify the recipient farmers from the landowner where the cultivable area is around 5 acres or less. But, the identification and selection of farmers were done by implementing the process through different state governments, districts, and local offices, creating mismanagement in data collection. As a result, there are several cases of ineligible farmers getting benefits while several deserving farmers are left out.
The second issue is the irregularity in the payments. Farmers have reported delays in receiving their payments, causing them significant financial distress. Some farmers have not received their payments for years, while others have received an inconsistent amount, which might be incorrect.
The third problem associated with the PM Kisan scheme is the lack of awareness. Despite the government’s efforts to make the farmers aware of the scheme, many still do not have the necessary information to apply for the scheme. Due to the lack of knowledge, farmers could not avail of the benefits they are entitled to.
Lastly, there is a controversy about the interpretation of the sharing pattern of the scheme. The central government has conveyed that it will take the responsibility of handling the entire amount of the scheme’s financial burden. But, a lack of communication between the center and states has created a clash over the funding’s sharing pattern. Therefore, state governments have to bear the costs associated with financial aid given to farmers, leading to financial instability.
In conclusion, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has several challenges that need attention. The government must devise a comprehensive plan to ensure smooth identification of beneficiaries, consistency in payments, awareness of the scheme among farmers, and clear communication between the center and state regarding funding patterns. With proper planning and execution, the scheme can play a significant role in uplifting the financially distressed farmers.