PM Kisan 17th Installment: Rs 20,000 Crore Released to Over 9.26 Crore Farmers
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The 17th installment of PM Kisan, amounting to Rs 20,000 crore, has been released to over 9.26 crore farmers on June 18, 2024. Learn about the scheme's impact, eligibility, and how this vital financial support benefits India's agricultural backbone.
In a significant move reinforcing its commitment to the welfare of the nation's farmers, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently disbursed the 17th installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) Yojana. This substantial financial injection, totaling Rs 20,000 crore, directly benefited over 9.26 crore eligible farmer families across the country. The release of these funds on June 18, 2024, underscores the continuous efforts to provide direct income support to small and marginal farmers, bolstering their financial stability and contributing to the agricultural sector's resilience.
Understanding PM Kisan Yojana
Launched in December 2018, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) is a central sector scheme designed to provide income support to all landholding farmer families in India, subject to certain exclusion criteria. The scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income. It also protects them from falling into the clutches of moneylenders for such expenses and ensures their continuance in farming activities.
Key Features of the PM Kisan Scheme:
- Financial Benefit: Each eligible farmer family receives Rs 6,000 per annum.
- Installments: This amount is disbursed in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The funds are directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, ensuring transparency and minimizing leakages.
- Central Government Funding: The scheme is entirely funded by the Government of India.
The PM Kisan Yojana has emerged as one of the largest direct benefit transfer schemes globally, showcasing India's dedication to supporting its vast agricultural population.
Key Details of the 17th Installment
The 17th installment represents a fresh commitment by the newly formed government. Released on June 18, 2024, from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, this installment reflects the continuity of the government's pro-farmer policies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally initiated the transfer, marking a significant event for millions of farmers.
- Total Amount Disbursed: Rs 20,000 Crore
- Number of Beneficiaries: Over 9.26 Crore Farmer Families
- Date of Release: June 18, 2024
- Amount Per Beneficiary: Rs 2,000
This timely financial aid is particularly crucial as farmers prepare for the upcoming Kharif cropping season, enabling them to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs without financial strain.
Who Benefits from PM Kisan?
The scheme targets landholding farmer families, including both small and marginal farmers. The definition of a 'farmer family' for the scheme includes the head of the family, spouse, and minor children who own cultivable land. However, there are specific exclusion categories to ensure the benefits reach those truly in need.
Exclusion Categories:
- All institutional landholders.
- Former and present holders of constitutional posts.
- Former and present Ministers/State Ministers and former/present Members of Lok Sabha/ Rajya Sabha/ State Legislative Assemblies/State Legislative Councils, former and present Mayors of Municipal Corporations, former and present Chairpersons of District Panchayats.
- All serving or retired officers and employees of Central/State Government Ministries/Offices/Departments and their field units Central or State PSEs and Attached Offices/ Autonomous Institutions under Government as well as regular employees of the Local Bodies (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff /Class IV/Group D employees).
- All superannuated/retired pensioners whose monthly pension is Rs 10,000 or more (Excluding Multi Tasking Staff /Class IV/Group D employees).
- All persons who paid Income Tax in the last assessment year.
- Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with professional bodies and carrying out profession by practicing.
These exclusions are critical to ensuring the scheme's integrity and focusing its resources on economically vulnerable farming households.
Eligibility Criteria and How to Check Status
To ensure continuous eligibility for PM Kisan benefits, farmers must meet specific criteria and keep their records updated. Key requirements include:
- Landholding: Being a landholding farmer family as per the scheme's definition.
- Aadhaar Linking: Aadhaar must be linked to the bank account for Direct Benefit Transfer.
- e-KYC: Completing e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) is mandatory. Farmers who have not completed their e-KYC may face delays in receiving installments.
- Bank Account Validation: The bank account must be active and valid for receiving DBT.
Farmers can easily check their PM Kisan beneficiary status and payment details through the official PM Kisan portal. The steps are straightforward:
- Visit the official PM Kisan website (pmkisan.gov.in).
- Click on the 'Beneficiary Status' tab.
- Enter your Aadhaar number, bank account number, or mobile number.
- Click on 'Get Data' to view your status, installment history, and check for any pending e-KYC or Aadhaar seeding issues.
It is highly recommended that farmers regularly check their status and ensure all details are up-to-date to avoid any disruption in receiving future installments.
The Impact on Farmers and Rural Economy
The PM Kisan scheme has had a transformative impact on the lives of millions of farmers and the broader rural economy. Each installment of Rs 2,000, while seemingly modest, provides crucial liquidity during critical periods of the agricultural cycle.
Benefits of PM Kisan:
- Input Cost Support: Helps farmers purchase essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and small agricultural equipment, reducing their reliance on credit.
- Livelihood Security: Provides a safety net, especially for small and marginal farmers, enhancing their income stability.
- Reduced Debt Burden: Helps prevent farmers from falling into debt traps by providing timely financial assistance.
- Stimulates Rural Economy: The direct cash transfer boosts purchasing power in rural areas, stimulating local economies and supporting small businesses.
- Women Empowerment: As many land records are in the names of male family heads, the financial support benefits the entire household, often empowering women in financial decision-making within the family.
- Digital Inclusion: Promotes digital literacy and banking habits among rural populations through the DBT mechanism.
The consistent disbursement of funds has created a sense of security and optimism among the farming community, reinforcing their faith in government support.
Future Outlook and Important Updates
With the 17th installment successfully disbursed, attention now turns to future disbursements and any potential enhancements to the scheme. The government has consistently affirmed its commitment to farmers' welfare, and the PM Kisan Yojana is a cornerstone of this agenda.
Expectations for the Future:
- Continued Disbursements: Farmers can expect the 18th installment and subsequent payments to follow the established schedule, typically every four months.
- Technological Integration: Further leveraging technology for better outreach, verification, and grievance redressal is expected.
- Scheme Refinements: While no major changes have been confirmed, the government continuously reviews its schemes to enhance effectiveness and reach.
Farmers are advised to stay updated through official channels regarding any announcements or changes related to the PM Kisan Yojana. Ensuring e-KYC is completed and bank accounts are linked to Aadhaar remains paramount for uninterrupted benefits.
Conclusion
The release of the 17th installment of PM Kisan, totaling Rs 20,000 crore to over 9.26 crore farmers on June 18, 2024, is a powerful testament to the Indian government's unwavering dedication to the agricultural sector. This direct financial aid continues to be a lifeline for millions of farming families, empowering them to manage their expenses, invest in their farms, and contribute significantly to India's food security. As the scheme progresses, its role in transforming rural livelihoods and strengthening the agricultural backbone of the nation will only grow in importance, fostering a more prosperous and self-reliant farming community.