Lok Sabha Question No. 1220 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-03
Subject: Inadequate Financial Assistance under PM-KISHAN
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1220

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03 RD  DECEMBER, 2024

## INADEQUATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER PM-KISHAN

1220. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण मंğी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government acknowledge the concerns raised by the farmers regarding the  insufficiency  of  the  financial  assistance  provided  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  review  and  potentially  increase  the amount disbursed to ensure that it adequately covers the rising costs of farming inputs and the essential needs of farming families;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any surveys or consultations with farmers to assess the impact of the current financial support on their livelihoods and food security, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the measures that are being considered to adjust the PM-KISAN support to meet the needs of farmers, in light of inflation and the increased cost living; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  a  timeline  for  a  comprehensive  review  of  the PMKISAN scheme to address these pressing issues faced by farmers across the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ͪष एवं ͩकसान कãयाण राÏय मंğी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (c): The PM-KISAN scheme is a central sector scheme launched in February 2019 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under this scheme, the financial benefit of Rs 6,000/- per year in three equal instalments every  four  months  is  transferred  into  the  bank  accounts  of  farmers'  families  across  the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The PM-KISAN scheme is one of the largest DBT Schemes of the World.

A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach all the farmers across the country without any involvement of the middlemen. Maintaining absolute transparency in registering and verifying beneficiaries, the Government of India has  disbursed  over  Rs  3.46  lakh  Cr  in  18  instalments,  so  far.  No  proposal  is  under consideration to increase the financial assistance in the PM-KISAN Scheme.

The funds disbursed under the PM-KISAN have acted as a catalyst in rural economic growth, aided in alleviating the credit constraints of farmers, and increased investments in agricultural inputs. The scheme has enhanced farmers' risk-taking capacity, leading them to undertake riskier but comparatively productive investments.

According to a study conducted by IFPRI, (International Food and Policy Research Institute), the funds received by recipients under PM-KISAN are not only helping them with their agricultural needs, but it is also catering to their other expenses such as education, medical, marriage, etc. These are the indicators of the positive impact of the scheme on the farmers of the country. PM KISAN has truly been a game changer for the farming community of our country.

- (d) & (e): No proposal is under consideration.

*****