The PM-Kisan Yojana Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing financial support to the nation’s small and marginal farmers.
Launched in December 2018, the scheme seeks to ensure a stable income for farmers, enabling them to meet agricultural and domestic needs.
Objectives of PM-Kisan Yojana
The primary objective of the PM-Kisan Yojana is to supplement the financial needs of farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and yields.
By providing direct income support, the scheme aims to protect farmers from falling into the clutches of moneylenders and ensure their continuance in farming activities.
Key Features of the Scheme
- Income Support: Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 per annum, disbursed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The financial assistance is directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, ensuring transparency and reducing delays.
- Coverage: Initially targeting small and marginal farmers owning up to 2 hectares of cultivable land, the scheme was later expanded to include all farmer families, irrespective of landholding size.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from the PM-Kisan Yojana, farmers must meet the following criteria:
- Land Ownership: The farmer should own cultivable land in their name.
- Family Definition: The scheme defines a family as a husband, wife, and minor children.
Exclusions
Certain categories of beneficiaries are excluded from the scheme:
- Institutional landholders.
- Families where one or more members belong to the following categories:
- Former and present holders of constitutional posts.
- Former and present Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative Assemblies, and similar positions.
- Serving or retired officers and employees of Central/State Government Ministries/Offices/Departments and their field units, Central or State Public Sector Undertakings, and Autonomous Institutions under Government, as well as regular employees of Local Bodies (excluding Multi-Tasking Staff/Class IV/Group D employees).
- Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects registered with Professional bodies and carrying out their profession.
Application Process
Farmers can register for the PM-Kisan Yojana through multiple channels:
- Common Service Centers (CSCs): Farmers can visit their nearest CSCs to register.
- Online Portal: Self-registration is available on the official PM-Kisan portal.
- Nodal Officers: State governments have appointed Nodal Officers who assist farmers in the registration process.
Documents Required
The following documents are necessary for registration:
- Aadhaar Card.
- Proof of citizenship.
- Landholding papers.
- Bank account details.
Benefits of the Scheme
The PM-Kisan Yojana offers several advantages:
- Financial Stability: Provides a steady income to farmers, helping them manage agricultural expenses and household needs.
- Debt Reduction: Aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on moneylenders, thereby decreasing the debt burden.
- Inclusive Growth: By covering all farmer families, the scheme promotes inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its noble intentions, the PM-Kisan Yojana faces certain challenges:
- Exclusion Errors: Some eligible farmers have reported not receiving benefits due to documentation issues or lack of awareness.
- Implementation Hurdles: Variations in land records and delays in updating beneficiary lists have led to implementation challenges.
Recent Developments
As of February 2025, the government has successfully disbursed the 18th installment of the scheme, benefiting millions of farmers across the country.
The 19th installment is expected to be released in the first week of February 2025.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to uplifting the agricultural community. By providing direct financial support, the scheme aims to empower farmers, ensuring they have the necessary resources to sustain and enhance their livelihoods.
Continuous efforts to streamline the process and address challenges will further bolster the effectiveness of this landmark initiative.
