The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, commonly known as PM-KISAN, is a groundbreaking initiative launched by the Indian government in 2019. This scheme aims to provide crucial financial support to millions of farmer families across the country, recognizing their invaluable contribution to the nation’s food security and economic stability.
Understanding PM-KISAN
At its core, PM-KISAN is designed to offer direct income support to landholding farmer families throughout India. The scheme provides an annual financial assistance of Rs. 6,000 to each eligible farmer family. This support is disbursed in three equal installments of Rs. 2,000 each, ensuring a steady flow of financial aid throughout the year.
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One of the most significant aspects of PM-KISAN is its direct benefit transfer (DBT) mechanism. The funds are transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, eliminating intermediaries and reducing the potential for corruption or misappropriation of funds. This direct transfer system ensures that the intended beneficiaries receive the full amount of support without any deductions or delays.
Eligibility Criteria
While PM-KISAN aims to support a wide range of farmers, there are specific eligibility criteria that determine who can benefit from the scheme. The primary requirement is that the beneficiary must be a landholding farmer. This includes small and marginal farmers as well as larger landholders.
However, the scheme also has clearly defined exclusion criteria. Several categories of individuals and families are not eligible for PM-KISAN benefits due to their higher economic status. These include:
- Institutional landholders
- Former and present holders of constitutional posts
- Former and present Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of Legislative Assemblies
- Former and present Mayors and Chairpersons of District Panchayats
- Serving or retired government employees (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees)
- Pensioners receiving a monthly pension of Rs. 10,000 or more
- Individuals who paid income tax in the last assessment year
- Professionals such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, and chartered accountants
These exclusions ensure that the scheme’s benefits are directed towards those farmer families who are most in need of financial support.
The 18th Installment: A Milestone
As PM-KISAN continues to support farmers across India, the upcoming 18th installment marks a significant milestone in the scheme’s journey. According to the official PM-KISAN website, the Honorable Prime Minister is scheduled to release this installment on October 5, 2024. This announcement underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to the welfare of farmer families and the continuity of the scheme.
The release of each installment is a much-anticipated event for millions of farmer families who rely on this support to meet their agricultural and household needs. It not only provides immediate financial relief but also allows farmers to plan their expenses and investments in advance.
The Importance of eKYC
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To ensure that the benefits of PM-KISAN reach the intended beneficiaries and to prevent any misuse of the scheme, the government has made eKYC (electronic Know Your Customer) mandatory for all registered farmers. This step adds an extra layer of verification and security to the process.
There are three primary modes of eKYC available to PM-KISAN beneficiaries:
- OTP-Based eKYC: This method is available on the PM-KISAN Portal and Mobile App. It involves verifying the farmer’s identity using a One-Time Password sent to their registered mobile number.
- Biometric-Based eKYC: Farmers can visit their nearest Common Service Centres (CSCs) or State Seva Kendras (SSKs) to complete this form of eKYC, which uses fingerprint or iris scans for verification.
- Face Authentication-Based eKYC: This newer method is available on the PM-KISAN Mobile app, allowing farmers to verify their identity using facial recognition technology.
The eKYC process ensures that the PM-KISAN benefits are transferred to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of genuine beneficiaries, eliminating the involvement of any middlemen and reducing the chances of fraud.
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Checking Beneficiary Status
Transparency is a key feature of the PM-KISAN scheme. To this end, the beneficiary list is publicly displayed at Panchayats, allowing for community oversight. Additionally, farmers can easily check their beneficiary status online by following these steps:
- Visit the official PM-KISAN website
- Navigate to the Beneficiary List page
- Select the relevant state, district, sub-district, block, and village
- Click on “Get Report” to view the beneficiary list
This easy accessibility of information allows farmers to verify their status and ensures overall transparency in the scheme’s implementation.
Impact and Significance of PM-KISAN
The PM-KISAN scheme has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of farmer families across India. Here are some key ways in which the scheme is making a difference:
- Financial Security: The regular installments provide a reliable source of income, helping farmers meet their basic needs and agricultural expenses.
- Investment in Agriculture: With this additional income, farmers can invest in better seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, potentially improving their agricultural productivity.
- Reduced Dependence on Informal Credit: The financial support helps farmers avoid high-interest loans from informal sources, breaking the cycle of debt that many farmers often face.
- Boost to Rural Economy: As farmers have more disposable income, it contributes to increased spending in rural areas, benefiting the local economy.
- Financial Inclusion: The scheme has encouraged more farmers to open bank accounts, bringing them into the formal banking system.
- Data-Driven Policy Making: The implementation of PM-KISAN has helped in creating a comprehensive database of farmers, which can be useful for future policy-making and targeted interventions in the agricultural sector.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While PM-KISAN has been largely successful, it has faced some challenges in its implementation:
- Identification of Beneficiaries: Ensuring that all eligible farmers are included in the scheme, especially in remote areas, remains an ongoing challenge.
- Land Record Updates: Many states are still in the process of digitizing and updating land records, which can affect the identification of eligible farmers.
- Digital Literacy: Some farmers, particularly older ones or those in remote areas, may face difficulties in navigating the online processes associated with the scheme.
- Awareness: Despite widespread publicity, there may still be eligible farmers who are unaware of the scheme or how to avail its benefits.
Looking ahead, there are several ways in which PM-KISAN could evolve:
- Increased Financial Support: As the economy grows, there might be scope to increase the amount of financial support provided under the scheme.
- Integration with Other Schemes: PM-KISAN could be integrated with other agricultural schemes to provide more comprehensive support to farmers.
- Customized Support: Future iterations of the scheme might provide tailored support based on the specific needs of different agricultural regions or types of crops.
- Technology Integration: Advanced technologies like AI and blockchain could be used to improve the efficiency and transparency of the scheme further.
Conclusion
The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana represents a significant step towards empowering India’s farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector. By providing direct financial support, implementing robust verification processes, and ensuring transparency, the scheme addresses some of the immediate challenges faced by farmers and contributes to their overall well-being.
As PM-KISAN continues to evolve and reach more beneficiaries, it has the potential to play a crucial role in transforming India’s agricultural landscape. The upcoming 18th installment in October 2024 will be another milestone in this journey, reaffirming the government’s commitment to farmer welfare.
However, the true success of PM-KISAN will depend on its continued implementation, addressing challenges, and adapting to the changing needs of India’s diverse farming community. With sustained efforts and improvements, PM-KISAN can significantly contribute to the goal of doubling farmers’ income and ensuring a prosperous future for India’s agricultural sector.
