More cooperation needed
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi as of now seems to be a total failure as many states are complaining about funds not being transferred on one pretext or the other. While in some cases the states are blaming centre for lethargic approach towards fund transfer, in certain cases, the centre is altogether blaming states for the failure in implementing the same.
The PM-KISAN scheme also aims to supplement the financial needs of small and marginal farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
In Uttar Pradesh, funds under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi could not be transferred to 1.5 lakh farmers in Uttar Pradesh due to “data mismatch”. However, the minister said that they will soon receive funds after the problem is rectified.
He, however, while, terming the scheme as a game changer, said welfare schemes implemented for villagers and farmers resulted in massive support for the BJP in the polls.
The UP government has sent data of 1.56 crore farmers to the Centre, of which 1.11 crore farmers have already got the first installment of the Kisan Samman Nidhi. In the country, nearly three crore farmers have got the first installment. UP’s share of the partnership in this scheme stands at 38 per cent.
Asked about rumours that money was not being transferred to account of some farmers, he said such reports are baseless. The rumours doing the rounds are baseless. The transfer of funds could not take place owing to data mismatch for nearly 1.5 lakh farmers. All the data mismatch will be corrected, and the funds will be transferred to the accounts of farmers, he said.
The minister said that at the time of the UPA, farmers felt disappointed and dejected. Over three lakh farmers committed suicide…Modi government has worked to help farmers get rid of their stress.
Talking about West Bengal, in February this year, former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had blamed the Govt of West Bengal for not sending names of small and marginal farmer for the transfer of the first installment of Rs 2,000 under the PM-KISAN scheme, while Congress-ruled states too are not cooperating.
In the interim Budget 2019-20, the central government had announced the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme under which Rs 6,000 per year will be given in three instalments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares.
There seems to be a dire need of cooperation between the centre and the states in order to implement the scheme—which is aiming at the betterment of the farmers—to let it achieve what it is aiming to.
