Prime Minister released 17th instalment of PM KISAN amounting more than Rs 20,000 crores

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 17th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crores to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers. He also addressed the Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today. During the program, he also granted certificates to more than 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister greeted the people of Kashi on his first visit after winning the Parliamentary elections from the constituency. He thanked them for choosing him for the third consecutive time. After that the Prime Minister reiterated the importance that he accords to farmers, narishakti, youth and poor as pillars of developed India and recalled that the first decision of the government after formation was about farmers and poor families. These decisions regarding 3 crore additional households under PM Awas Yojna or instalment of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will help cores of people, said the Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister greeted the farmers present at the venue and linked with the event through technology. He also talked about Krishi Sakhi initiative as a strong step in the direction of creating 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’. The initiative will ensure the dignity and assurance of source of income for the beneficiary women, the Prime Minister said. 

“PM Kisan Samman Nidhi has emerged as the world’s largest direct benefit transfer scheme”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting that more than Rs 3.25 lakh crores have been transferred into the bank accounts of crores of farmers, where Rs 700 crores have been transferred to the families in Varanasi alone. The Prime Minister lauded the use of technology in taking the benefits to the deserved beneficiaries and also credited the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra which enabled more than one crore farmers to register themselves under PM KISAN scheme. He further added that rules and regulations have been simplified to increase accessibility. “Work related to farmer’s welfare takes place at a fast pace when intentions and beliefs are in the right place”, Modi added. 

Dwelling upon the role of the agri-ecosystem in making India the world’s third-largest economy in the 21st century, PM Modi stressed the need for a global outlook and urgency for self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds. He also emphasized the need to become a preeminent agri-exporter. He mentioned that local products from the region are finding a global market and export is getting a push through One District One Product Scheme and export hubs in every district. “My dream is that at least one Indian food product should be there on every dining table all over the world”, he added, stressing the Zero Defect-Zero Effect mantra in agriculture too. He also said that through Kisan Samiddhi Kendras, a huge network is being created to support millets, herbal products and  natural farming.