2-January-2024-Special-Article

PM-KISAN BENEFICIARIES DWINDLING, GOVT ADDS 34 LAKH IN SPECIAL DRIVE

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, designed to financially assist landholding farmers, has witnessed a decline in beneficiaries from 10.47 crore to 8.12 crore. The government’s response includes proactive measures under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, a campaign aimed at saturating government schemes across the country. This drive has added 34 lakh farmers back to the beneficiary list.

Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:

Objective:

• Raise awareness and achieve scheme saturation across Gram Panchayats, Nagar Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies.
• Whole-of-government approach involving various ministries, state governments, and central organizations.

Activities:

• Outreach initiatives to reach vulnerable eligible individuals.
• Dissemination of information and awareness generation about government schemes.
• Interaction with beneficiaries through personal stories and experience sharing.
• Enrolment of potential beneficiaries identified during the yatra.

PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana:

Objective:

• Launched to supplement the financial needs of landholding farmers.
• Operational since December 2018.

Financial Benefits:

• Rs 6000 per year in three equal installments transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer.
• Initially for Small and Marginal Farmers, extended 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.

PM-KISAN Mobile App:

• Developed by the National Informatics Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Challenges:

Mandatory Provisions and Aadhaar Linkage:

• Complexity introduced by mandatory land seeding and Aadhaar linkage.
• Challenges for farmers, especially in remote areas, to comply with these prerequisites.

Awareness and Outreach:

• Many eligible farmers may lack awareness or sufficient information about the PM-Kisan scheme.
• Outreach struggles to cover all farming segments, particularly in remote or marginalized areas.

Technology Accessibility:

• Disparities in technology access, hindering farmers’ engagement with online processes for PM-Kisan enrollment.

Way Forward:

• Review Provisions: Conduct a comprehensive review of mandatory land seeding and Aadhaar linkage for simplicity and efficiency.
• Technology Integration: Utilize technology to create user-friendly platforms, ensuring seamless compliance.
• Community Engagement: Establish community-level programs to engage with vulnerable farmers directly.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with local authorities, agricultural services, and NGOs to identify and support eligible farmers unaware of PM-Kisan benefits.

Conclusion:

The decline in PM-Kisan beneficiaries underscores the need for ongoing evaluation and responsiveness. The government’s initiatives, especially under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity. Addressing challenges, particularly those related to awareness and technology accessibility, is crucial for ensuring the effective and widespread implementation of schemes benefiting India’s farming community.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the challenges faced by the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme, and suggest comprehensive measures for the government to enhance its effectiveness. Examine the role of initiatives like the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in addressing the identified challenges. (150 WORDS).