Karnataka has sent only 17 names for PM-Kisan scheme
Karnataka appears to be less cooperative in seeking benefits for its farmers from the PM-Kisan scheme under which the first instalment of Rs 2,000 each has been deposited in the bank accounts of over 2.7 crore farmers. The state has so far certified only 17 names for the scheme.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that West Bengal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi have not certified a single beneficiary even after a month and a half has passed since the scheme was announced and the first installment handed out.
Jaitley had earlier said that there was noncooperation in Congress-ruled states. Over 2.7 crore small and marginal farmers have received the benefits till now, he said. About 30% of the beneficiaries are in the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, where Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme on February 24.
The process requires the state governments to cooperate at every step. They need to first send the beneficiary data to the Centre, which screens it for missing information and discrepancies in the names of bank account holders and applicants. The state governments then sign the fund transfer request.
Karnataka, Jaitley said, has certified only 17 farmers till now and is yet to send the fund transfer request.
The second installment of the PM-Kisan scheme would be disbursed next month. Under the scheme, Rs 6,000 per year will be provided to the families of small and marginal farmers having a combined land holding/ownership of up to two hectares of land. The money will be disbursed in three equal installments.
Sources, however, said that the scheme has slowed after the model code of conduct for the elections kicked in. The Centre is also seeking the Election Commission’s views on whether to add names of new beneficiaries in the scheme in the midst of elections.