Farmers got `1.35L cr under PM-Kisan: Modi

Out of the total `1.35 lakh crore disbursed since the launch of the scheme in February 2019, the Prime Minister said around `60,000 crore has been transferred during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is helping farmers in these difficult times.

New Delhi, May 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Centre has transferred around `1,35,000 crore so far under the PM-KISAN scheme with the payment of the eighth instalment on Friday and is also procuring a higher quantity of paddy and wheat at MSP to boost farmers’ income.

Out of the total amount disbursed since the launch of the scheme in February 2019, Modi said around `60,000 crore has been transferred during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is helping farmers in these difficult times.

The Prime Minister on Friday released the eighth instalment of `20,667 crore to more than 9.5 crore farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN) scheme via video conference.

Under the scheme, which became effective from December 2018, the Centre provides `6,000 per year to eligible farmers in three equal instalments of `2,000.

Addressing the event, Modi said farmers have performed their duties even during this Covid-19 pandemic and helped the country achieve record production of foodgrains and horticulture crops.

He said the PM-KISAN scheme was launched to help farmers, especially small and marginal ones, in meeting their input costs.

He said around 10 crore farmers have received the 8th instalment.

“To West Bengal farmers, the benefit has begun to reach for the first time. Today, lakhs of farmers in West Bengal have got their first instalment. Gradually when the names of farmers are sent to the Centre, the number of beneficiaries will increase,” he added.

Overall, around 11 crore farmers have received around Rs 1,35,000 crore under the PM-KISAN scheme so far, Modi said, adding that about `60,000 crore has been transferred during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“PM-KISAN is benefitting small and marginal farmers. In these difficult times, this money is helping these farmers a lot. So far under the scheme, about 11 crore farmers have got `1.35 lakh crore in their bank accounts. There are no middlemen,” Modi said.

The government is continuously making efforts to ensure benefits to farmers reach directly at a faster pace, the Prime Minister added.