Bengal farmers get PM-Kisan cash

Context

The eighth installment of payouts under PM-Kisan was released and among the over 9.5 crore beneficiaries across the country more than 7 lakh farmers were from West Bengal, which was the first time that Bengal farmers received this benefit.

About PM-Kisan scheme

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) is a 100 per cent centrally funded scheme.
• Money transfer: Under the scheme, Rs 6,000 are transferred in three equal installments to eligible farmer families in a year.
• Start: The scheme was announced in the General Budget (Interim) for 2019-20.
• However, it was implemented from December 1, 2018.
• DBT Transfer: The money is transferred to bank accounts of beneficiaries by the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Role of State: State governments send “correct and verified data of farmers” that is authenticated and uploaded to the scheme portal in batches by the State Nodal Officers (SNOs).
• Fund Transfer Order: It is issued by the Public Finance Management System (PFMS). On the basis of this the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare in the central Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare issues the transaction order for the mentioned amount.
  • The money goes to the State Nodal Account which is maintained at a sponsor bank.
  • The SNO gives a letter of authority to the bank manager to auto debit the PM-Kisan amount and credit it to the accounts of eligible farmers.