• The PM-Kisan scheme, launched with an aim to ensure a life of dignity and prosperity for farmers has completed two years.

    • The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2019, from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.

    • Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the government has enhanced the income of farmers by providing Rs 6,000 annually to farmers under this scheme in three equal instalments.

    • So far the centre has transferred over Rs 1.15 lakh crore directly to bank accounts of more than 10.75 crore farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme.

    • The initial target was to cover 14.5 crore farmers and efforts are underway to add more beneficiaries.

    • States have been asked to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries are included in this scheme so that they get the benefit.

    • The initiatives taken by the government in the last six and half years are PM-KISAN, Rs 1 lakh crore agri-infrastructure fund and creation of 10,000 FPOs (farmers producers organisations).

Features of PM KISAN Scheme

    • PM Kisan is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India.

    • It has become operational from 1.12.2018.

    • Under the scheme an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments will be provided to small and marginal farmer families having combined land holding/ownership of upto 2 hectares.

    • Definition of family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children.

    • State Government and UT administration will identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines.

    • The fund will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

    • The first instalment for the period 1.12.2018 to 31.03.2019 is to be provided in the financial year itself.

    • There are various Exclusion Categories for the scheme.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)