Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

Announced in February of 2019 during the Interim Union Budget presentation, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is one of the many government-backed schemes in India. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance via direct benefit transfer (DBT) to small-time farmers. If you’re a marginal or small-time farmer, here’s what you need to know about this unique initiative.

What is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a scheme that provides minimum income support of up to ₹6,000 per annum per family to eligible marginal and small-time farmers. The financial assistance of ₹6,000 per annum is disbursed directly to the farmers’ bank accounts in three instalments of ₹2,000 every 4 months. 

The Objective of PM Kisan Yojana

A large majority of the farmers in the Indian agricultural sector are marginal and are often not financially prosperous. In a bid to reduce the financial burden on farming communities, the Union Government brought the PM Kisan Yojana into effect. 

The initiative aims to address the financial disparities that small-time farmers and their families face by providing them with a minimum income support of ₹6,000 per annum. The funds that the farmers receive as part of the scheme can be used to manage their financial obligations more effectively. 

How Did the Scheme Come Into Effect?

The Telangana Government in 2018 came up with a financial assistance scheme for small-time and marginal farmers of its state. Known as the Ryuthu Bandhu scheme, a particular sum was disbursed twice a year to eligible farmers to support their agricultural efforts. The state government’s efforts garnered a huge positive response from farmers and other stakeholders.

In a bid to replicate the success of the Telangana Government’s farmer income support scheme on a nationwide basis, the Union Government of India decided to introduce the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. During the first year of implementation, around ₹75,000 crore was allocated for the scheme.

What are the Features of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

As a small-time farmer, you need to know what the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana’s noteworthy features are. Here’s a quick overview of some of the key features of the scheme:

• Income Support at Regular Intervals:

The financial assistance of ₹6,000 per annum under this scheme is not disbursed as a single payout. Instead, the sum is split into three instalments equally and is disbursed every 4 months of a year. This ensures that you have access to a regular source of income to keep up with your financial needs.

• Cap on Land Ownership:

Since the entire objective is to help small-time farmers, you can claim the scheme’s benefits only if you own up to 2 hectares of land.

• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana disburses funds via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This reduces instances of malpractice and ensures that the monetary support reaches the intended farmers.

Who is Eligible for the PM Kisan Scheme?

To claim the benefits under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, you need to satisfy the following list of criteria:

• You must be an Indian citizen
• You must be a marginal or small-time farmer
• You must possess cultivable land not exceeding 2 hectares

Who is Excluded from PMKSY? 

The PM Kisan Yojana has also notified certain exclusion criteria. You cannot claim the scheme’s benefits if you satisfy the exclusion criteria listed below:

• If you have paid income tax in the previous assessment year
• If you’re a current or former civil servant who holds or held a governmental or constitutional post
• If you’re an Institutional landowner
• If you or a member of your family receives a pension of ₹10,000 or above each month as a result of retirement or superannuation
• If you or a member of your family is a professional such as a doctor, Chartered Accountant (CA), lawyer, engineer or architect

How to Register for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana?

If you satisfy the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana eligibility criteria, you can register for the scheme through any of the following methods:

• Method 1: Through the PM Kisan Yojana Nodal Officers

According to the scheme, every state government is mandatorily required to appoint a PM Kisan nodal officer. You can approach the nodal officer to register for the scheme.

• Method 2: Through Revenue Officers

Alternatively, you can also visit your local patwari or the respective revenue officer for the area where your cultivable land is located to register for the scheme.

• Method 3: Through Common Service Centres (CSCs)

You can also visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), if any, to register online for the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. However, keep in mind that you may have to pay a nominal fee for availing the service.

• Method 4: Through the Official Website 

If you’re technologically adept, you can register yourself for the scheme by visiting the official website of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and submitting an online application. 

What are the Documents Required to Register?

To register for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, you need to submit the following set of documents:

• A copy of your Aadhaar card 
• A copy of your identity and address proof 
• A copy of your land documents as proof of ownership 
• A copy of your passbook or bank statement

How to Check the Beneficiary Status of the PM Kisan Scheme?

If at any point you wish to know your PM Kisan beneficiary status, here are the steps you need to follow:

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. 
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Know Your Status’ option on the right side of the homepage. 
• Step 3: Enter your registration number and the captcha code.
• Step 4: Click on the ‘Get Data’ button. 

Conclusion

The PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is one of the few social security schemes for small-time farmers located in both rural and urban regions. The regular source of income provided by the initiative can prevent farmers from gravitating towards unauthorised money lending practices that are often detrimental to their financial situation.

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