Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today launch the Rs. 75,000-crore Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh today by transferring the first instalment of Rs. 2000 each to one crore farmers, as the news agency PTI quoted a senior agriculture ministry official as saying. Another set of one crore farmers are expected to be covered in the next couple of days.
The centre had declared the PM-KISAN scheme in the interim budget 2019-2020. Under this programme, a sum of Rs. 6000 will be paid to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land of up to two hectares per year in three instalments.
Prime Minister said in a tweet, “Tomorrow is a historic day! The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi will be launched from Gorakhpur. This is a scheme that will give wings to the aspirations of crores of hardworking farmers of India who feed our nation”.
He further added that the launch of the project demonstrates two things: the NDA’s unwavering commitment to farmers’ welfare and speedy decision-making. “A scheme announced on February 1 has become reality in such a short span. This is the new work culture of New India,” he said.
Opposition leaders, however, say that the speedy implementation of the scheme was only in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Many of them, including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, even alleged that the money translates to a paltry Rs. 3.3 a day per person for a family of five.
Nonetheless, the scheme is seen as a part of the government’s effort to address farm distress caused by lower sales of foodgrain, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and horticulture crops. The funds will be electronically transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through a pattern similar to MGNREGS.
PM Modi will also distribute certificates among select farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme and interact with select beneficiaries through video conferencing at the Gorakhpur event. He also plans to lay foundation stones and dedicate various development projects to the nation on the occasion.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
