PM-KISAN
Context:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has integrated innovative AI chatbot with the prominent flagship scheme of the central government—the PM-KISAN Scheme.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Welfare Schemes)
PM-KISAN Scheme: Empowering Small and Marginal Farmers
- PM-KISAN Scheme is a Central Sector Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme with an objective of providing financial support to small and marginal farmer families (these families collectively hold or own up to 2 hectares of land).
- The farmer families receive an income support of ₹6,000 per year which will be distributed in 3 equal installments over the year.
- Initially the PM-KISAN Scheme was to provide income support exclusively to Small and Marginal Farmers’ families owning cultivable land up to 2 hectares. However, The scheme was subsequently expanded to encompass all farmer families in the country.
- Eligibility: According to PM-KISAN Scheme- a family is defined as comprising a husband, wife, and minor children. This helps to determine the eligibility and ensures that the support reaches the rightful beneficiaries.
- The responsibility of identifying eligible farmer families rests with State Governments and Union Territory administrations.
- A hallmark of the PM-KISAN Scheme is its direct benefit transfer mechanism. The financial support is electronically transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries which ensures transparency, reduces intermediaries, and expedites the distribution of funds.
Exclusion Criteria for PM-KISAN Scheme:
The following categories of individuals or entities are not eligible for the scheme:
- Institutional Landholders
- Government Officers and Employees: Present or retired officers and employees of both state and central governments, as well as those associated with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and government autonomous bodies, are ineligible.
- Higher Economic Status Beneficiaries: Including those who pay income tax.
- Constitutional Post Holders
- Professionals: Such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers who are registered with professional bodies.
- Retired Pensioners: Retired pensioners receiving a monthly pension exceeding Rs 10,000 are not eligible under this scheme.
Achievements of the PM-KISAN Scheme:
- The scheme has successfully reached and extended benefits to over 11 crore eligible farmer families, making it one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes in the country.
- A sum of Rs 2.42 lakh crore has been transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries under the scheme, significantly boosting their financial security.
- The scheme has simplified the beneficiary registration process through a user-friendly mobile app and the PM KISAN portal, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- The PM-KISAN Scheme has played a crucial role in alleviating liquidity constraints faced by a substantial number of farmers, who often struggle to access formal credit.
- PM-KISAN has played a pivotal role in encouraging the adoption of modern agricultural technologies. It has facilitated productive investments by farmers, contributing to the modernization of agriculture and increasing productivity.
