Latest news with #PM-Kisan
NDTV
18 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
Top 6 Central Schemes Fuelling Farmer Welfare: Rs 6,000 Aid, Low-Cost Loans, And Rs 3,000 Pension
India, often referred to as an agricultural nation, sees a significant portion of its population relying on farming for their livelihood. To support and strengthen the economic condition of farmers, the government has launched multiple schemes aimed at boosting the agriculture sector. These initiatives not only offer financial assistance but also provide security and access to modern farming technologies. Here's a look at key government schemes offering substantial benefits to farmers. 1. PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi: Rs 6,000 Annual Support via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), all eligible small and marginal landholding farmers receive Rs 6,000 annually, paid in three installments of Rs 2,000 directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Since its launch in February 2019, over Rs 3.68 lakh crore has been disbursed across 19 installments. The 20th installment is anticipated by early August 2025. 2. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Crop-Insurance Safety Net This insurance initiative, launched in February 2016, protects farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities, diseases, or pest attacks. PMFBY offers affordable premiums and aims to stabilise farmers's income. However, several states (e.g., Gujarat, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Bihar) have exited, citing high premiums and claim settlement challenges. 3. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Affordable Loans for Storage & Logistics Inaugurated in July 2020, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) allocates Rs1 lakh crore to support agri-entrepreneurs, startups, and farmer groups for cold storage, warehousing, packaging, and farm machinery. Punjab alone has seen allocations grow from Rs4,713 crore to over Rs7,050 crore with leading application figures nationally. 4. Soil Health Card Scheme: Unlocking Soil-Based Nutrient Advice Launched in February 2015, this scheme issues personalised Soil Health Cards to farmers, listing crop-wise nutrient requirements and deficiencies based on lab testing of their land. It encourages balanced fertiliser use and improved yields with lower costs. 5. Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Short-Term Credit at Subsidised Interest Established in 1998 and expanded over time to cover allied activities like fisheries and dairy, the KCC Scheme offers working capital and investment credit (e.g., irrigation, pumps, seeds) to farmers. With the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) now extended through FY 26, farmers accessing short-term loans up to Rs5 lakh via KCC enjoy subsidised interest as low as 7%. 6. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana: Pension Safety for Farmers Under the PM-Kisan Maandhan Yojana, eligible farmers aged 18-40 can enrol voluntarily. By contributing between Rs55 and Rs200 monthly (depending on age), they become eligible for a pension of Rs3,000 per month upon reaching 60. Contributions can be auto-deducted from the PM-Kisan installments, making it hassle-free. Why These Schemes Matter Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) cut red tape and ensure funds reach beneficiaries instantly. Subsidised credit and insurance reduce risks and lower dependency on informal lenders. Infrastructure and soil data programs promote efficiency and sustainability. Pension benefits provide social security for ageing farmers. Together, these programs reflect a comprehensive approach: immediate income support, resilience through insurance and credit, and long-term stability via pensions and technology-led interventions.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
AP to launch statewide survey of farm machinery for digital upgrade
VIJAYAWADA: The Department of Agriculture, under the directives of the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is set to launch a comprehensive village-level survey of agricultural machinery across the State. The survey, to be completed by August 31, aims to assess the availability and utilisation of farming equipment to support tailored budget planning and resource allocation. It will be conducted by agricultural assistants at Rythu Seva Kendras (RSKs) and will cover machinery owned by individual farmers, institutions, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), and private entities, regardless of whether the equipment was purchased with subsidies or independently. Speaking to the mediapersons, Agriculture Department Director S Dilli Rao said, 'This survey will evaluate the availability of agricultural machinery at the village level, based on crop patterns and seasonal requirements. Moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, it will enable us to design budget plans aligned with specific village needs.' Key data points, including ownership, usage, and the condition of machinery, will be collected and integrated into the Farm Machinery Information System (FMIS) under the APAIMS 2.0 platform, developed by Wasserlabs. This digital integration will enhance planning, monitoring, and budget allocation processes. Key objectives of the survey include creating a digital inventory of machinery at individual, institutional, and RSK levels; identifying equipment needs based on crop seasons and agro-climatic conditions; linking data with Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) for better utilisation; identifying idle machinery for redistribution; supporting policies like subsidised machinery distribution; integrating with central schemes such as SMAM and PM-Kisan; and collecting data on machinery used for land prep, water management, spraying, harvesting, and post-harvest activities. The Director emphasised that the survey aligns with the Chief Minister's vision to integrate data with the e-CHC platform, enabling farmers to book machinery through a user-friendly, Uber-like system. The future Plans include integrating FMIS survey data with AI-based crop advisory systems, establishing real-time booking and payment tracking for CHC services, and promoting the expansion of drone-based spraying equipment. Describing the initiative as a 'futuristic digital agricultural plan,' Dilli Rao highlighted its role in optimising resource use and improving access to modern machinery for farmers.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
MGNREGS job cardholders have to complete e-KYC verification within three months: Odisha minister
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to shed the dubious distinction of having the third highest fake job cards in the country after Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the state government has given MGNREGS cardholders three months time to complete their e-KYC verification. The move has come after Union minister of state for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan in a reply in the Lok Sabha, revealed that Odisha has deleted over 1.44 lakh fake job cards in the last three years. State Panchayati Raj and Rural Development minister Rabi Narayan Naik, however, described the presence of fake cards as a legacy issue inherited from the previous BJD government. 'In the last one year, we have issued around 2 lakh job cards to genuine beneficiaries who were previously left out. Our government is committed to transparency and accountability. Misuse of public money will not be tolerated,' Naik said. He also said the government has been proactive in ensuring that all eligible individuals are covered under welfare schemes such as ration cards, PMAY, PM-Kisan, CM Kisan, and Subhadra Yojana. The e-KYC process, he said, will help weed out ghost entries and ineligible people who have obtained job cards to avail other government benefits. According to official data, the state has issued 66.5 lakh job cards to 1.09 crore people, of which 43.19 lakh cards are currently active. The number of active workers stands at 65.53 lakh. In his reply in the Parliament, the Union minister said that Odisha deleted 1,14,454 fake job cards in 2022-23, 22,226 cards in 2023-24, and 7,566 cards in 2024-25. 'Since the responsibility for implementing MGNREGS lies with the state governments, it is up to them to take appropriate action in cases of irregularities. This may include investigations and legal action, depending on the severity of the issue,' Paswan stated. The mandatory e-KYC for job cards comes after a similar verification exercise was undertaken to identify and remove ghost and ineligible ration cards from circulation across the state.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Widespread pension fraud uncovered, digital land records scrutiny begins
Karwar: In a sweeping crackdown on fraudulent claims under its social welfare schemes, the Karnataka government has identified 11.8 lakh pension beneficiaries who may have used falsified documents to access old-age and disability pensions. Among them are over 13,700 income tax payers and 117 government employees—individuals clearly not eligible under current norms, informed state minister Krishna Byre Gowda. He was speaking at a review meeting held in the district office in Karwar on Tuesday. Gowda said that the state authorities say some pensioners used fake disability certificates, while Aadhaar-based checks revealed many were underage for the old-age pension scheme. A detailed re-verification has been ordered, with Uttara Kannada district alone reporting nearly 12,000 suspicious cases. In a parallel move, the state has launched an aggressive land record cleansing campaign. Officials said 52.55 lakh properties across Karnataka still remain in the names of deceased farmers, disqualifying them from key central subsidies like PM-Kisan. Over 20,000 land title transfers to heirs have been completed in the last month. In Uttara Kannada, 1.90 lakh land parcels are still registered under the names of 57,000 deceased persons. Instructions have been issued to complete free-of-cost transfers to legal heirs within six months. Under the 'Bhoosuraksha' programme, the government is also scanning and digitising old revenue records. Of the 100 crore-page archive, 33.1 crore pages have been digitised, with the rest expected within six months. Once complete, citizens will be able to access certified land records online without visiting government offices Gowda later told the presspersons.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Karnataka govt identifies 11.8 lakh potentially fraudulent social security pension beneficiaries
The Karnataka government has uncovered over 11.8 lakh potentially fraudulent social security pension beneficiaries, including income tax payers and government employees. A campaign has been launched to update outdated land records, with over 52.55 lakh land holdings still registered under deceased farmers' names. The Bhu Suraksha project aims to digitize land records, enhancing accessibility and preventing tampering. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Karnataka government has identified over 11.8 lakh potentially fraudulent beneficiaries of social security pensions across the state, including 13,702 income tax payers , 117 government employees as per preliminary findings, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda at a review meeting on Wednesday, Gowda said Aadhaar verification also revealed thousands receiving old-age pensions despite not meeting the minimum age criteria. Furthermore, complaints have emerged of able-bodied individuals availing disability pensions using forged certificates, prompting orders for his observation, the Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister stated that steps will be taken at the state government level to bring an end to such anomalies with decisive steps in the coming days. In Uttara Kannada district alone, 11,956 such suspicious cases were flagged, including 351 income tax payers, he also said that the state has launched a campaign to update outdated land records. Over 52.55 lakh land holdings still exist in the names of deceased farmers, rendering them ineligible for central schemes such as PM-Kisan. Officials have begun door-to-door campaigns to transfer ownership to legal heirs. In the past month alone, 20,000 such land title transfers have been Uttara Kannada, 1.90 lakh land parcels remain in the names of 57,000 deceased farmers. Revenue officials have been directed to transfer these titles free of charge within six government is also fast-tracking digitisation under the Bhu Suraksha scheme to prevent record Bhu-Suraksha Project was launched in 2024 by the Karnataka Revenue Department with the goal of digitising and securing land records across the the targeted 100 crore pages of land documents, 33.1 crore have been scanned, with a six-month deadline to complete the remaining. Citizens will be able to access digitised land records online, eliminating the need to visit taluk offices, Gowda later told reporters on the sidelines of the review meeting.
