Title: PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: An Overview of its Status
Introduction:
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, launched in February 2019 by the Government of India, aims to provide financial support to small and marginal farmers across the country. This flagship scheme intends to improve the economic condition of farmers by granting them direct income support. Since its inception, the scheme has seen significant progress, impacting millions of farmers nationwide. In this article, we will provide an overview of the current status of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Key Objectives:
The primary objective of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is to enhance the livelihoods of small and marginalized farmers by providing them with direct income support. The scheme aims to augment the income of farmers by annually providing them with ₹6,000 ($80) in three equal installments. These installments are transferred directly to the farmers’ bank accounts to ensure transparency and minimize leakage.
Eligibility Criteria:
To avail of the benefits of the scheme, farmers need to meet certain eligibility criteria. Small and marginal farmers who own cultivable land up to two hectares are eligible for the scheme. Furthermore, the scheme is applicable to all farmers, irrespective of their age, caste, or gender. Farmers who fall under the exclusion criteria of institutional landholders, farmers with higher income, and retired pensioners with a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more are not eligible for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Current Status:
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has made substantial progress in benefiting farmers since its inception. As of October 2021, over 12 crore (120 million) farmers have registered for the scheme. The central government has disbursed funds to more than 11 crore (110 million) farmers, reflecting the scheme’s widespread reach.
Under this scheme, the government transfers the first installment of ₹2,000 to the registered farmers’ accounts between April and June. The second installment is disbursed from July to November, while the third and final installment is transferred between December and March. Despite challenges like verification and identification hurdles, the government has made efforts to streamline the process and mitigate delays.
With advancements in technology, the government has been able to assess the eligibility of farmers using satellite data to verify land ownership. This move has been instrumental in reducing discrepancies and ensuring that the intended beneficiaries receive the financial assistance promptly.
Future Prospects:
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana continues to evolve and improve its implementation processes. To extend its reach even further, the government aims to bring in more eligible farmers under the scheme. Additionally, efforts are being made to integrate the scheme with other agricultural schemes to create a more comprehensive support system for the farming community.
Conclusion:
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has emerged as a significant initiative to uplift small and marginal farmers and provide them with much-needed financial assistance. With its extensive reach and continuous improvements in implementation, the scheme has positively impacted millions of farmers across India. As the government focuses on addressing implementation challenges and expanding the scheme’s coverage, the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana holds great promise in further improving the condition of farmers and agricultural sustainability in the country.