Farmers in Haryana yet to receive instalments

ROHTAK: A large number of farmers across the state are still awaiting the amount promised to them under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (Pm-kisan).

Under this central sector scheme, an income support of ₹6,000 per year is provided to all farmer families across the country in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each every four months. The scheme came into effect from December 2018.

While many farmers are waiting for their second and third instalments, there are some who have not even got the first one.

The first instalment was to be transferred to the accounts of farmers by March, the second was due between April and July and the third between August and November.

Vikas Kumar, a farmer from Jitpura village in Dadri district, said most of the farmers in his village had not received third instalment of ₹2,000 under the Pm-kisan scheme.

“I have already used the first and second tranche to purchase fertilisers for my cotton crop. But now we are waiting for the third instalment which was expected to be released this month. The amount under the scheme is not sufficient because practising agriculture has become expensive and requires more resources,” Kumar added.

Vijay Nandal, a farmer having four acres of land in Bohar village of Rohtak district, said he has not even received the first instalment under the flagship Pm-kisan scheme.

“I had submitted the form required to get enrolled in the scheme few months ago. I have knocked on the doors of bank manager and agriculture officials, but to no avail. I hope I get my first instalment soon,” he added.

Karampal Sheoran, a resident of Chahar Kalan in Bhiwani district, is one of the lucky ones who has received all three instalments of the scheme.

“I had sown mustard seeds on four acres of land and just purchasing seeds and fertilisers cost me ₹6,400. The amount given under the Pm-kisan scheme is very less and is of no great help to us,” he added.

“Instead of giving us ₹6,000 per year in three instalments, the government must provide us fertilisers and seeds at cheap rates and procure our produce at the MSP,” Sheoran said.

He added that several farmers failed to get their second and third instalments due to pending enquiries into the applicants’ claims.

When contacted, Jag Raj Dandi, joint director agriculture, who was busy in a meeting, said some farmers have received the third instalment and the remaining ones will get the same in coming few days.

“Several pending applications would soon be cleared as well,” he added.

The amount given under the scheme is very less and is of no great help to us. The government should instead give us fertilisers and seeds at cheap rates and procure our produce at the MSP. KARAMPAL S, Bhiwani farmer