PM Kisan Yojana – The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, launched in 2019, has been a game-changer for small and marginal farmers across India. Under this initiative, all landholding eligible farmer families get up to ₹6,000 per year as minimum income support. This vital financial aid helps farmers cover costs related to agriculture and living expenses.
The PM-KISAN scheme dispenses the amount in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months. So far, over ₹2 lakh crore has been transferred into the bank accounts of more than 11.37 crore beneficiary families. The 16th installment under the scheme is now due for release.
Overview of PM Kisan Yojana Samman Nidhi Yojana
The PM-KISAN scheme was launched on 24 February 2019 after the interim budget announcement. Under this program:
- Small and marginal landholder farmer families with cultivable land ownership up to 2 hectares are eligible
- The amount of ₹6,000 per year is transferred in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each through direct benefit transfer (DBT)
- The fund transfer takes place every four months periods starting from December to March
- To date, over ₹2 lakh crore has been disbursed to more than 11.37 crore farmers
- The scheme aims to supplement the financial needs of farmers for procuring inputs and cover costs related to agriculture
The program has provided immense relief for small farmers who struggle with income uncertainty due to weather, market fluctuations, debt, and other factors. The PM-KISAN fund cushions them against vulnerabilities and enables investments in farming activities.
PM Kisan Yojana 16th Installment Due for Disbursal
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has completed over three years since its launch. The last, 15th installment, was dispatched during the October-December period in 2022. As per the guidelines, the next tranche of funds under PM-KISAN is now due for release.
This upcoming payment will be the 16th installment for beneficiary families who have been receiving the amount regularly since the start of the scheme. For more recent entries into the system, the number of tranches may differ. With the 16th installment, the total amount received per household under PM-KISAN would touch ₹24,000.
As of January 2023, there were over 11.3 crore approved beneficiaries waiting in line for the next bimonthly payout. The final list may further expand based on the verification status of new applications. The fund dispersal procedure will commence once the transfer amount gets allocation through the Union Budget 2023-24.
PM Kisan Yojana Status Check Online
Beneficiaries keen to check the status of their enrollment and confirm eligibility for receiving the 16th tranche of PM-KISAN funds can do so easily online. By visiting the official website or using the mobile app, farmers can track application status through these simple steps:
On the PM Kisan website:
- Go to pmkisan.gov.in
- Click on the ‘Beneficiaries Status’ tab
- Enter your Aadhaar number, account number, or mobile number for verification
- Captcha code will be displayed, enter it
- Click on ‘Get data’ button
Your name, area details, KYC status, installment details will then be displayed. If all details are green-marked, it means your account is active and verified to obtain the next payment.
On PM Kisan Mobile App:
- Download the PM Kisan app and register if new user
- Click on ‘Beneficiary Status’ icon
- Enter Aadhaar number and captcha code
- Click ‘Get data’ and it will show eligibility status
This basic online checking procedure will help beneficiaries confirms their eligibility prior to the installment credit. In case of any discrepancies in details, farmers can get it corrected through online or district grievance mechanisms.
Importance of PM Kisan Yojana Funds for Small Farmers
PM Kisan Yojana The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has been crucial for uplifting rural livelihoods by providing financial security to farmers. Some key benefits include:
1. Supplements farm income: Weather uncertainties, market fluctuations lead to highly variable farm revenues. PM-KISAN funds supplement incomes during low-profit seasons.
2. Covers input costs: Assured funds enable small farmers to procure quality seeds, fertilizers, equipment to boost productivity without taking loans.
3. Mitigates indebtedness: Many smallholders rely on private moneylenders charging 25-50% interest rates. Direct income support reduces dependence on exploitative loans.
4. Discourages distress migration: Financial security provided by PM-KISAN enables farmers to continue investing in farms, preventing forced urban migration.
5. Pushes digitalization: Mandating Aadhaar-linked bank accounts has brought more and more marginal farmers into the digital finance mainstream.
6. Supports government initiatives: PM-KISAN aids other schemes like PM Fasal Bima Yojana crop insurance by covering premiums through assured funds.
Therefore, the bimonthly transfers under the PM-KISAN scheme serve as a lifeline for India’s small and marginal farmers. The funds act as crucial income cushions and capital providers, catalyzing agricultural development. The upcoming 16th installment carries this welfare commitment forward.
Concerns Regarding PM-KISAN Implementation
PM Kisan Yojana – While PM-KISAN has benefited crores of small farmers already, several gaps exist in its coverage and implementation. Key concerns raised by policy experts include:
1. Exclusion errors: Millions of deserving farmers remain outside the scheme due to lack of land titles or issues with digital/Aadhaar linking.
2. Delayed payments: Instances of delayed installment transfers due to verification issues or state-level lags, defeating the objective of timely support.
3. Misappropriation risks: Long fund routing through different administrative levels heightens risks of diversion and misuse before final disbursal.
4. Inadequate insta-relief: ₹2,000 every four months provides limited relief against crop losses, weather damages requiring swift, adequate compensation.
5. Narrow coverage: PM-KISAN covers only landowners, leaving out the most vulnerable tenant farmers, sharecroppers, farm laborers.
While PM-KISAN has achieved commendable coverage so far, the above gaps highlight areas needing priority attention for more comprehensive, equitable and responsive implementation.
Envisioning PM-KISAN 2.0
As the PM-KISAN scheme enters its fourth year in 2023, policy discussions are focusing on measures to strengthen the program through an enhanced version 2.0. Proposed reforms include:
1. Universal coverage: Extend eligibility to all types of farmers – tenants, sharecroppers, farm laborers etc. Automatically enroll all land records verified persons.
2. Regular updating: Continuous updating of beneficiary lists by states to minimize exclusion errors. Process new applications promptly.
3. Payment authorization: Village heads must certify installment transfer requests before payment to curb misappropriation risks.
4. Relief funds: Apart from income support, additional provisions for swift damage compensation after weather events/disasters.
5. Complement schemes: Ensure PM-KISAN recipients automatically eligible for subsidized crop insurance, equipment schemes to maximize benefits.
6. Grievance mechanisms: Expand offline/online grievance channels for beneficiaries through common service centers, call centers etc.
The above measures will help strengthen PM-KISAN as an umbrella platform for smallholder farmer welfare programs in the coming years.
As the 16th installment dispersal approaches, PM-KISAN continues demonstrating India’s commitment to securing farmer incomes in service of national food and nutrition security. Expanding the scope and reach of this flagship scheme can catalyze further rural growth across sectors.
