National News

Farmers Struggle For Kisan Samman Nidhi Due To Bureaucratic Delays

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 17th installment of the Kisan Samman Nidhi to the accounts of 9.26 crore farmers from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, on Tuesday. While the central government is taking steps to provide relief and benefits to farmers, the reality in some places, like Deoria in UP, shows that farmers are not receiving these benefits. This issue is mainly due to the officers and employees of the Agriculture Department. For two years, farmers have been trying to get the fund’s money but are being sent from one place to another with excuses.

 

In Deoria, farmers are struggling mainly because Agriculture Department officers and employees do not arrive at their offices on time, forcing farmers to make repeated visits. Farmers say they have been trying to get the Kisan Samman Nidhi for two years, but their issues remain unresolved as officers keep passing the blame onto each other.

 

Farmers have appealed to Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi to take action against careless officers and employees to protect the dignity of the farmers and ensure smooth operations.

 

By now, one would expect the direct benefit transfer to farmers from the government’s budget to be routine. However, there’s a whole event around it, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi involved.

 

Despite a reduced majority, the government continues to present every program as the prime minister’s gift to the masses. The BJP’s manifesto for the 2024 elections, ‘Modi ki Guarantee,’ lacked substantial new promises for farmers and didn’t mention the earlier goal of doubling farmers’ income. Farmers have protested multiple times, demanding adequate remuneration and an MSP guarantee, which the BJP manifesto ignored.

 

Before the interim budget in February, there were expectations that the PM-KISAN cash transfer amount would increase, but it didn’t. The program, ongoing for five years, continues to distribute the same Rs 2,000 instalments without adjusting for inflation. This amount, Rs 6,000 annually per farmer, is too small to significantly impact their incomes or debts, and it only benefits landowners, ignoring tenant farmers.

 

The agriculture sector faces numerous challenges, including climate change, needing comprehensive policy responses. Farmers’ protests have highlighted issues like MSP, crop diversification, credit access, crop insurance, and market access, which still need addressing. Additionally, women, who make up a significant portion of agricultural workers, are often unrecognized and underpaid.

 

During the June 18 event, certificates were distributed to 30,000 women trained as Krishi Sakhis (para extension workers). However, women remain underpaid and unrecognized as farmers, bearing a larger burden of agricultural work without ownership or proper acknowledgment.

 

Election analyses suggest that the BJP lost many rural seats due to stagnant wages, poor agricultural returns, and rising unemployment. One would hope the ruling party would focus more on addressing rural distress and agricultural issues rather than grandstanding over routine programs.

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