Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to Varanasi on Tuesday after being re-elected for a third consecutive term. During his visit, he released the 17th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, distributing more than Rs 20,000 crore to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers across the country.
Since its inception in 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme aimed to supplement the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Under this scheme, eligible farmer families receive Rs 6,000 annually in three installments. To date, more than 11 crore farmers have benefited, with total disbursements exceeding Rs 3.04 lakh crore. With this latest installment, the total amount transferred to farmers will surpass Rs 3.24 lakh crore.
Empowerment of Women in Agriculture
During the event, Prime Minister Modi also granted certificates to over 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs), recognizing them as Krishi Sakhis. The Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP) is designed to empower rural women by training and certifying them as Para-extension Workers, supporting agricultural development in their communities.
This initiative is part of the broader “Lakhpati Didi” Program, which aims to improve the financial status of rural women.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised Prime Minister Modi, highlighting that he is the first politician in 62 years to be re-elected as Prime Minister for a third term. Adityanath emphasized Modi’s role in giving India a new global identity and driving Uttar Pradesh’s economic progress.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also spoke at the event, noting that PM Modi’s single-click transfer of Rs 20,000 crore would significantly benefit approximately 9.25 crore farmers. Chouhan highlighted the total transfer of about Rs 3.24 lakh crore to farmers since the scheme’s launch.
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PM-KISAN: Supporting Farmers Across Nation
The PM-KISAN scheme was launched to provide financial assistance to all land-holding farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria for higher-income individuals. The funds are directly transferred into farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, ensuring timely and efficient delivery of benefits.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Varanasi marks a significant milestone in his political career and the ongoing efforts to support India’s farmers. The combination of financial support through PM-KISAN and the empowerment of women through the KSCP reflects the government’s commitment to transforming rural India and improving the livelihoods of its citizens.
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