The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is an ambitious initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing financial assistance to farmers across the country. Launched in December 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this scheme seeks to ensure the welfare of the nation’s farmers by providing them with direct income support. With the agricultural sector being a vital part of India’s economy, PM-KISAN aims to address the pressing issues of farm distress, improve productivity, and boost the income of farmers.

What is PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is a central sector scheme that provides direct financial assistance to eligible farmer families. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. The payments are made directly into the bank accounts of the farmers, ensuring transparency and ease of delivery. This initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to enhance the financial security of farmers and reduce their dependence on informal credit sources.

Key Objectives of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

1. Income Support for Farmers: The primary objective of the PM-KISAN scheme is to provide financial assistance to the farmers, helping them meet various agricultural expenses and improving their livelihood.
2. Reduce Dependence on Debt: By providing regular financial assistance, the scheme aims to reduce farmers’ reliance on informal loans and alleviate the debt burden they often face due to crop failure or unpredictable weather patterns.
3. Improvement in Agricultural Productivity: With the financial backing from PM-KISAN, farmers are expected to invest in better seeds, equipment, fertilizers, and technology, which can lead to increased agricultural productivity.
4. Supporting Small and Marginal Farmers: The scheme primarily targets small and marginal farmers who often struggle to secure credit or financial aid. The direct transfer ensures that the benefits reach those who need it most.

Eligibility Criteria for PM-KISAN

The PM-KISAN scheme is designed to benefit small and marginal farmers. The following eligibility criteria apply:

1. Farmer Family Definition: The scheme is applicable to all landholding farmers who own cultivable land. The definition of a “farmer family” includes those who have land in their name as per the revenue records.
2. Exclusion Criteria: Certain categories are excluded from receiving benefits under this scheme:
   • Government Employees: Farmers who are government employees or pensioners with a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more are not eligible.
   • Income Tax Assessees: Individuals who file income tax returns are also excluded.
   • Professionals and Large Landholders: Farmers holding large tracts of land and professionals such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers do not qualify for the scheme.
3. Criteria for Inclusion: The inclusion of eligible farmers is based on data sourced from state government agencies, which are responsible for maintaining accurate land records.

How PM Kisan Works: A Step-by-Step Process

The PM Kisan scheme operates in a simple and efficient manner. Here’s how it works:

1. Registration: Farmers must register for the scheme through the official PM Kisan website, or they can do so through common service centers (CSCs) or government officials.
2. Verification: Once registration is complete, the details are verified by state government authorities. Landholding details are cross-checked with the revenue records to ensure accuracy.
3. Beneficiary Identification: The government identifies eligible farmer families through the National Agriculture Database (NAD), and the farmer’s details are verified at the local level.
4. Direct Benefit Transfer: After successful identification and verification, ₹6,000 is disbursed annually in three equal installments of ₹2,000. These payments are made directly into the bank accounts linked with the registered mobile number of the farmers.
5. Online Monitoring: Farmers can track the status of their payments, check beneficiary lists, and resolve any issues through the official PM Kisan website or mobile app.

Benefits of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

1. Financial Support: Farmers receive ₹6,000 annually, which provides crucial support in managing agricultural costs and improving their income.
2. Timely Assistance: Payments are made directly to the farmer’s bank account, ensuring timely financial assistance and reducing bureaucratic delays.
3. Encourages Investment in Farming: With additional financial support, farmers are more likely to invest in better technology, tools, and methods to improve crop production and productivity.
4. Empowerment of Small Farmers: PM-KISAN is particularly beneficial to small and marginal farmers who often lack access to formal financial services. This scheme empowers them by giving them regular income support.
5. Simplified Process: The registration process is easy, and payments are processed automatically, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Challenges Faced by PM-KISAN

While the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has been a significant step towards farmer welfare, it has faced a few challenges:

1. Data Gaps and Errors: There have been instances of farmers not receiving payments due to issues in land records or incorrect data entry. Efforts are being made to streamline and digitize data for better accuracy.
2. Inclusion Errors: Some eligible farmers have faced difficulties in getting their names included in the beneficiary list. This has led to dissatisfaction among certain sections of the farming community.
3. Delay in Payment: While the scheme aims for timely payments, there have been occasional delays, especially in certain states. However, the government has been working towards faster processing and clearing of payments.
4. Lack of Awareness: Despite efforts to raise awareness, a significant portion of the farming population is still unaware of how to register or apply for the scheme. The government is making efforts to conduct outreach and provide guidance to farmers.

How to Check PM Kisan Beneficiary Status

Farmers can check their beneficiary status online by following these steps:

1. Visit the official PM Kisan Portal at pmkisan.gov.in.
2. Under the “Farmer Corner” section, click on “Beneficiary Status”.
3. Enter your Aadhar number or bank account number and click on the Get Data button.
4. You will be able to see the status of your application and payment.

Alternatively, farmers can also use the PM Kisan Mobile App to check their status.

Conclusion

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme is a game-changer for the Indian agricultural sector, aimed at providing much-needed financial assistance to farmers and improving their economic stability. By directly transferring funds into the bank accounts of farmers, the government has made it easier for them to access financial support without unnecessary delays. Despite some challenges in implementation, the scheme has been widely praised for its potential to uplift the livelihoods of farmers, particularly those in rural areas.

The success of PM-KISAN depends not only on efficient delivery and monitoring but also on the continued efforts to reach out to farmers, improve transparency, and ensure that every eligible farmer benefits from this initiative. Through this, the government hopes to build a brighter future for India’s agricultural community and reduce the financial struggles of millions of farmers across the nation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible for PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?
   • Small and marginal farmers who own cultivable land are eligible for the scheme, except for government employees, income tax assessees, and professionals.
2. How do I register for PM Kisan?
   • You can register online through the PM Kisan portal or by visiting common service centers (CSCs).
3. What is the amount provided under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi?
   • Eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each.
4. How can I check my payment status?
   • You can check your payment status by visiting the official PM Kisan portal or using the PM Kisan mobile app.
5. Is PM Kisan available to all farmers?
   • No, the scheme is only available to small and marginal farmers who meet the eligibility criteria.