Farmers Movement Archive

UP bags first prize in implementation of PM Kisan scheme

Lucknow: Amid ongoing farmers’ agitation against three farm laws, the Centre adjudged UP as the best performing state in achieving the fastest take-off on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, entailing an annual support of Rs 6,000 — in three instalments of Rs 2000 each — essentially to small and marginal farmers. Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar gave the award to UP agricultural minister Surya Pratap Shahi at a function in Delhi to commemorate completion of two years of the scheme. Speaking to TOI, additional chief secretary (agriculture) Devesh Chaturvedi said under the leadership of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the state managed to provide benefits to around 2.40 crore farmers since the scheme’s launch exactly two years ago by PM Narendra Modi at a rally in Gorakhpur in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Agricultural department officials said, around Rs 27,134 crore has been granted to farmers under the Centre’s flagship scheme that seeks to lend financial support to farmers in time of crisis. The money is transferred in bank accounts of farmers through direct benefit transfer. “District magistrates in the state and officials of the agriculture department worked tirelessly in implementing the scheme,” said Chaturvedi. Experts said, the award for fastest implementation of the scheme may come in handy for BJP, which seeks to allay apprehensions of farmers, particularly in west UP that has been feeling the ripples of the farmers’ unrest.

The Times of India

2021-02-25

Lucknow