Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released the 23rd installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district, West Bengal. The Prime Minister transferred more than Rs 18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Of these beneficiaries, 2.18 crore are women farmers. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive financial assistance of Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each.
The government stated that the initiative is an important step toward providing financial support to farmers and strengthening the agricultural sector. On the occasion of West Bengal Day, Prime Minister Modi also launched several development initiatives for the state. These included the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the Digital Agriculture Mission, the National Mission on Natural Farming, and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana.
PM-KISAN is one of the world's largest DBT initiatives. More than 1 crore farmers attended the event virtually. The day was also celebrated as "PM KISAN Utsav Diwas."
Over Rs 4.46 Lakh Crore Disbursed So Far
Since its launch in 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme has provided more than Rs 4.46 lakh crore in financial assistance to farmers across India. Under the 23rd installment, over Rs 907 crore was transferred to more than 45.35 lakh farmers in West Bengal. With this, the cumulative assistance provided to farmers in the state under the scheme has crossed Rs 15,000 crore.
The government has launched several major agricultural initiatives alongside the 23rd PM-KISAN installment in West Bengal:
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) will provide crop insurance coverage against natural disasters, pests, and adverse weather conditions. The schemes aim to cover 1.10 crore farmers across 30 lakh hectares, with an insured value of Rs 28,140 crore.
• Under the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack will enable seamless access to credit, insurance, DBT, and procurement services in West Bengal.
• The National Mission on Natural Farming will promote sustainable, chemical-free agriculture through cluster-based adoption and farmer training. A total of 346 natural farming clusters will cover 17,300 hectares and benefit 43,250 farmers.
• The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana has been launched in four districts of West Bengal. The scheme aims to improve productivity, promote diversification, strengthen infrastructure, and enhance access to irrigation and institutional credit.
Inauguration of Rural and Fisheries Projects
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III), 49 road projects worth more than Rs 213 crore were inaugurated. Spanning over 315 kilometres, these roads are expected to improve connectivity in rural areas.
In the fisheries sector, the Prime Minister inaugurated a modernized fishing harbour at Fraserganj in South 24 Parganas district and a modern fish market in Birbhum district.
Railway Projects Worth Rs 591 Crore
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for railway projects worth around Rs 591 crore in West Bengal. These include the foundation stone for a 300-bed Divisional Railway Hospital in Howrah, to be built at a cost of Rs 99 crore; a Road Over Bridge in Purba Medinipur costing Rs 71 crore; and the dedication to the nation of the Sankrail–Santragachi third railway line, developed at a cost of Rs 421 crore.