Context:
The number of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme has recently witnessed a notable decline, dropping by over 20% from a peak of 10.47 crore in April-July 2022 to 8.12 crore. However, the government’s proactive efforts, including the “saturation drive” implemented as part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, have resulted in the re-inclusion of 34 lakh farmers in the list of beneficiaries.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra: Campaign Overview
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan)
- Challenges of PM-Kisan
Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra: Campaign Overview
- Nationwide Awareness Drive:
- A countrywide campaign focused on conducting outreach activities to achieve the saturation of various Government of India schemes.
- Targets coverage across all Gram Panchayats, Nagar Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies.
- Collaborative Approach:
- Implemented through a comprehensive government approach with active participation from various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, State Governments, Central Government Organizations, and Institutions.
Objectives:
- Targeting the Eligible Vulnerable:
- Reach out to individuals eligible under different schemes but have not yet availed of the benefits.
- Information Dissemination and Awareness:
- Disseminate information and generate awareness about government schemes.
- Beneficiary Interaction:
- Engage with beneficiaries of government schemes through the sharing of personal stories and experiences.
- Enrolment of Potential Beneficiaries:
- Facilitate the enrolment of potential beneficiaries by gathering relevant details during the Vikasit Bharat Sankalp Yatra.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-Kisan):
- Launched to supplement the financial needs of landholding farmers.
- Operational since December 2018.
Financial Benefits:
- Provides a financial benefit of Rs 6000 per year, disbursed in three equal installments every four months.
- Transferred directly into the bank accounts of farmers’ families nationwide through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Eligibility and Scope:
- Initially intended for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) with landholding up to 2 hectares.
- Later expanded to cover all landholding farmers.
Funding and Implementation:
- Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
- Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Objectives:
- Financial Support for Inputs:
- Supplement the financial needs of Small and Marginal Farmers in procuring various inputs for crop health and yields.
- Protection from Moneylenders:
- Prevent farmers from relying on moneylenders for meeting expenses, ensuring their continued participation in farming activities.
PM-KISAN Mobile App:
- Developed and designed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Physical Verification Module:
- Mandates a mandatory physical verification of 5% of beneficiaries annually, following the scheme’s laid-down provisions.
Challenges of PM-Kisan:
- Complexity in Land Seeding and Aadhaar Linkage:
- The mandatory provisions for land seeding and linking Aadhaar with active bank accounts have introduced complexity, posing challenges for farmers in meeting these prerequisites.
- Technical Challenges in Remote Areas:
- Farmers, especially those in remote locations, may encounter technical difficulties in fulfilling the Aadhaar linkage and land seeding requirements, impeding their access to PM-Kisan benefits.
- Limited Awareness and Information:
- Many eligible farmers may still lack awareness of the PM-Kisan scheme or have insufficient information about the application process, potentially leading to non-participation.
- Outreach Challenges:
- Despite outreach efforts, initiatives may struggle to reach all segments of the farming community, particularly those in remote or marginalized areas, resulting in uneven awareness and participation.
- Technology Disparities:
- Disparities in technology access, including smartphones and internet connectivity, may pose hurdles for farmers, limiting their ability to engage with the online processes required for PM-Kisan enrollment and compliance.
-Source: The Hindu
