PM Modi releases Rs 18,000 crore to over 9 crore farmer families under PM-Kisan; Says opposition parties are misguiding farmers by spreading lies and rumours

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, December 25, 2020, released the next instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through video conferencing. With the push of a button, the Prime Minister enabled the transfer of more than Rs 18,000 crore to over 9 crores beneficiary farmer families.

The Prime Minister also had a conversation with farmers from six different States during the event. The farmers shared their experiences about PM-KISAN and also on various other initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of farmers.

The farmers said they have received due payments under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, which have helped them enhance their productivity. One of the farmers said, under PM-Kisan Yojana and crop diversification scheme he can sell his produce outside the APMC Mandis and earn a lot more for his family.

In his address, PM Modi said, today, Rs 18,000 crore have been deposited directly in the bank account of more than 9 crore farmer families of the country at one click. He said, ever since this scheme started, more than Rs 1,10,000 crore has reached the account of farmers.

The Prime Minister said, he is pained that more than 70 lakh farmers of West Bengal have not been able to get the benefit of PM-KISAN. He said, more than 23 lakh farmers of West Bengal have applied online to take advantage of this scheme, but the state government has stopped the verification process.

He said, some parties are pushing their political agenda by opposing new farm laws and some people are spreading myths, lies and rumours that land will be taken away if farmers enter into contract farming.

The Prime Minister said, the Government has worked intending to reduce the input cost of the farmers of the country and schemes like soil health card, neem coating of urea, solar pumps were started. He said, for a better crop insurance cover to farmers, Government launched PM Fasal Bima Yojana and crores of farmers are getting the benefit of it.

PM Modi said, Government has tried to ensure that the country's farmers get a fair price for their crop. He said, implementing the Swaminathan Committee report, the Government gave one and a half times MSP of the cost to farmers.

The Prime Minister said, Government has added more than thousand agricultural Mandis of the country online.

He said, today, a campaign is going on to create more than 10,000 Farmers Producer organizations (FPO) in the country and financial assistance is being given to them

PM Modi said, through the agricultural reforms, the Government has given better options to the farmers.

The Prime Minister said, his Government is making life easier for farmers in villages, but those making big speeches today did nothing for farmers when they were in power.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, the amount released today will greatly benefit the farmers. He said, there was a time when a Prime Minister had said that out of Rs 100 sent by the government only 15 rupees used to reach villages but now in the Modi Government people are getting full amounts in their bank account sent by the Government. Mr Tomar appealed to the protesting farmers to end their protest and hold talks with the government. He hoped that they would understand the importance of the new farm laws and the issue will be resolved soon.

Under the PM-KISAN Scheme, a financial benefit of six thousand rupees per year is provided to small and marginal farmers, payable in three equal four-monthly instalments of two thousand rupees each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Several Union Ministers participated in the Kisan Sammelans organised in different parts of the country.

Addressing a gathering at Mehrauli in Delhi, Home Minister Amit Shah said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put Rs 95,000 crore directly to the bank account of 10 crore farmers within two and a half years. He said, in 2013-14, when UPA was in power, the budget of farmers was Rs 21,900 crore and PM Modi increased it to Rs 1,34,399 crore. Mr Shah said, PM Modi is the real well-wisher of the farmers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a meeting in Dwarka in the national capital. He assured that the Modi government will never do anything which is not in the interest of the farmers. Underlining that all problems can be resolved through dialogue, Mr Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants talks with farmers to continue and therefore, the government has extended an invitation to them.

In the National Capital, Health Minister addressed Kisan Sammelan in Kamla Nagar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed in Ranjit Nagar and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Janakpuri.