PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme

GS 3 – AGRICULTURE

Launched: February 24, 2019
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
Objective: To provide direct income support to all landholding farmers to help them meet agricultural and allied needs.

Key Features:

1. Financial Assistance:
   • Income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmer families.
   • Paid in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each, directly into the bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
2. Eligibility:
   • Initially for Small and Marginal Farmers (holding up to 2 hectares), later extended to all landholding farmers regardless of land size.
   • Family includes husband, wife, and minor children.
3. Exclusions:
   • Institutional landholders.
   • Farmer families holding constitutional positions or serving/retired government employees (except Class IV/multi-tasking staff).
   • Professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, chartered accountants, and architects.
   • Income taxpayers in the previous assessment year.

Objectives and Significance:

• Income Security: Provides a safety net to farmers for agricultural inputs, household needs, and debts.
• Poverty Alleviation: Reduces rural distress by offering assured income.
• Financial Inclusion: Encourages banking habits among farmers through DBT.
• Support for Small Farmers: Helps small and marginal farmers who often lack access to formal credit.

Implementation and Monitoring:

• State Governments: Responsible for identifying eligible beneficiaries.
• Central Government: Releases funds directly to the farmers’ bank accounts.
• Technology Integration: Use of Aadhaar to prevent duplication and ensure transparency.
• Grievance Redressal: States/UTs set up mechanisms for addressing beneficiary concerns.

Challenges:

• Exclusion Errors: Some deserving farmers miss out due to land record issues.
• Inclusion Errors: Ineligible beneficiaries receiving funds due to flawed verification.
• Land Record Digitization: Delays in updating land records hinder smooth implementation.
• Regional Disparities: Variations in beneficiary identification among states.

Mains Question (UPSC)

Discuss the objectives, key features, and challenges of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme. How has it contributed to improving the income security of Indian farmers?