The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a government scheme in India aimed at providing income support to farmers and their families. It was launched by the Government of India in February 2019 to enhance the financial condition of small and marginal farmers.
Key Features of PM-KISAN
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Objective:
- To provide direct income support to farmers to ensure their financial needs are met and to support them in buying inputs for farming and other domestic needs.
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Beneficiaries:
- Small and marginal farmer families with combined landholding/ownership of up to 2 hectares.
- Initially targeted small and marginal farmers, but later extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
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Financial Assistance:
- Each eligible farmer family receives an annual cash transfer of INR 6,000.
- The amount is disbursed in three equal installments of INR 2,000 each.
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Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
- The funds are directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries to ensure transparency and reduce leakages.
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Implementation:
- The scheme is centrally funded and implemented across India.
- The responsibility for identifying eligible farmer families lies with the state and Union Territory governments.
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Application Process:
- Farmers need to register for the scheme through various means, such as the official PM-KISAN portal, Common Service Centers (CSCs), or local revenue offices.
- Necessary documents include Aadhaar card, landholding papers, and bank account details.
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Exclusions:
- Certain categories of farmers are excluded from the scheme, including institutional landholders, families with members holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State/Central Government as well as PSUs and Government autonomous bodies, professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers, and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year.
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Monitoring and Grievance Redressal:
- The scheme includes a robust monitoring mechanism at the state and central levels.
- A grievance redressal system is in place to address any issues faced by beneficiaries.
Impact of PM-KISAN
- Financial Support: The scheme has provided much-needed financial support to millions of farmer families, helping them manage their agricultural and domestic expenses.
- Increased Coverage: With the extension of the scheme to all farmer families, the reach and impact have significantly increased.
- Economic Stability: The regular income support helps in ensuring economic stability for the farmers, reducing their dependency on informal sources of credit.
- Rural Development: By enhancing the financial capacity of farmers, the scheme contributes to overall rural development and welfare.
How to Apply for PM-KISAN
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Online Registration:
- Visit the official PM-KISAN website: pmkisan.gov.in.
- Click on the “Farmers Corner” and select “New Farmer Registration”.
- Fill in the required details and upload necessary documents.
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Offline Registration:
- Farmers can visit their local revenue office, CSCs, or agricultural offices for assistance with registration.
- Provide the required documents and information for the registration process.
Checking Beneficiary Status
- Beneficiaries can check their payment status and other details on the official PM-KISAN portal by entering their Aadhaar number, bank account number, or mobile number.
The PM-KISAN scheme is a significant step towards ensuring the welfare and economic stability of farmers in India, addressing their immediate financial needs, and supporting the agricultural sector's growth.
