After assuming office for a record-equalling third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday signed his first official file, authorising the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme. This decision will benefit 9.3 crore farmers, distributing around Rs 20,000 crores.
“Our government is fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come,” said PM Modi.
This action underscored the Modi government’s ongoing commitment to farmer welfare following the National Democratic Alliance’s recent electoral victory. The decision precedes the first cabinet meeting of Modi 3.0, scheduled for the evening at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi is poised to benefit approximately 9.3 crore farmers across the nation, with a total distribution expected to reach around Rs 20,000 crores.
Under the PM-Kisan scheme, eligible farmer families receive Rs 6,000 per annum in three equated instalments (Rs 2,000 each instalment) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) every four months. The scheme was launched on February 24, 2019, just before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Expressing a vision for continuous advancement in the agricultural sector, PM Modi emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts and future endeavours aimed at bolstering farmer livelihoods and fostering agricultural growth.
By prioritising farmer welfare in its initial executive action, the new government sends a clear message of its steadfast commitment to the well-being and prosperity of farmers, a cornerstone of India’s agrarian economy.
Earlier, he took charge as the Prime Minister of India for the historic third time. He received a warm welcome at the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office), South Block, New Delhi. PMO staffers greeted him with a round of applause as the PM entered the premises.