The 20th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi was distributed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi transferring funds to over 9.7 crore farmers across India from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in the event virtually from Raipur, connecting with farmers in the state. A total of ₹20,500 crore was disbursed.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that since 2019, a staggering ₹3.75 lakh crore has been directly transferred to farmers’ accounts nationwide under the PM Kisan scheme. He emphasized the government’s commitment to farmer prosperity, citing the scheme as a key example. The Prime Minister also announced the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhan Yojana for regions with lagging agricultural development, allocating ₹24,000 crore for the initiative.
The Prime Minister discussed the government’s investment in irrigation to improve water access for farming and increase production. He also mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, which helps farmers cope with natural disasters. He emphasized the importance of women’s economic empowerment, with over 1.5 crore women becoming Lakhpati Didis.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai extended greetings for the holy month of Shravan and wished for the prosperity of Chhattisgarh. He announced that over 25 lakh farmers in Chhattisgarh had received ₹553.34 crore through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He thanked Prime Minister Modi for supporting farmers and acknowledging their hard work.
Chief Minister Sai stated the government’s dedication to fulfilling its promises to farmers. He noted that Chhattisgarh farmers are receiving ₹3100 per quintal for paddy, boosting their incomes. He added that ₹3716 crore of pending bonus was paid to farmers within ten days of the government’s formation, reinforcing their trust. He highlighted the role of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, introduced under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in making farming more viable, providing loans at zero interest.
The Chief Minister outlined the government’s welfare schemes, including efforts to expand irrigation. He mentioned initiatives to develop Bastar and promote projects like the Bodhghat project and linking the Mahanadi and Indravati rivers. The government is also offering ₹10,000 in aid to encourage the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, along with similar support for landless agricultural laborers.
Chief Minister Sai also discussed initiatives to strengthen related agricultural sectors like fisheries, dairy farming, and animal husbandry. A pilot project for distributing milch animals has been launched in six districts, implemented through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The aim is to boost milk production and ensure fair prices for farmers. He added that efforts are underway to promote nutritious millets like Shree Anna and traditional crops like Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi, improving market opportunities for farmers.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu highlighted the government’s continuous efforts to support farmers through the scheme, led by Prime Minister Modi. He mentioned the development of roads in villages and the availability of interest-free short-term loans through KCC. He emphasized the government’s dedication to implementing various schemes for farmers’ welfare.
Agriculture Development and Farmer Welfare Minister Ramvichar Netam confirmed that the 20th installment of ₹553.34 crore was transferred to over 25.47 lakh farmers in Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the state government’s vision to modernize agriculture and improve farming practices. The Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan initiative engaged agricultural experts and officials with over one lakh farmers to provide information on improved farming methods.
At the event, agricultural equipment and subsidy checks were distributed. The program was attended by several MLAs, government officials, and the Vice-Chancellors of agricultural universities, along with a large number of farmers.