Centre releases over `20,000 cr to farmers

PM-Kisan funds transferred to 10 cr beneficiaries

The Centre on Saturday released the 10th instalment of financial benefit under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKISAN) under which more than `20,000 crore was transferred to over 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. The fund was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a special function on Saturday through video conferencing. The PM also released an equity grant of more than `14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) that is expected to benefit more than 1.24 lakhs farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, the PM offered his condolences for the victims of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. He also informed that he talked to the LG, Manoj Sinha, regarding the arrangements for the injured. Centre has announced exgratia of `2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan while the injured would be given `50,000.

Talking to farmers while releasing the funds, the PM said, “This year we will complete 75 years of our

Independence. This is the time to start a new vibrant journey of the country’s resolve, to move forward with renewed vigour.”

Speaking about the economy, the PM said that on many parameters, the Indian economy is looking better than pre-Covid days. He pointed out, “Today the growth rate of our economy is more than 8 per cent. Record foreign investment has come to India. Our forex reserves have reached record levels. Old records have also been surpassed in GST collection. We have also set new records in the matter of exports, especially in agriculture.”