PM Modi’s Varanasi Visit: During his visit to Varanasi on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the 17th payment of the PM-KISAN initiative, which will benefit over 92.6 million farmers to the tune of over Rs 20,000 crore. Additionally, more than 30,000 self-help organizations that have been educated as Krishi Sakhis to serve as para extension workers will receive their diplomas from the prime minister.
Event Coordination by Ministry of Agriculture and UP Government
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is coordinating with the Uttar Pradesh government to organize the event. Following his third term in power, Prime Minister Modi approved the delivery of the 17th tranche of the PM Kisan Nidhi, a programme that is expected to provide over Rs 20,000 crore in benefits to 93 million farmers.
Launched in 2019, the PM-KISAN initiative aims to support land-holding farmers’ financial needs, provided they meet specific exclusion requirements related to higher income status. Via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, farmers’ families nationwide receive a monetary benefit of Rs 6,000 per year, paid out in three equal installments every four months, into their bank accounts.
Event Coordination by Ministry of Agriculture and UP Government
With this distribution, the total cash paid to the beneficiaries since the scheme’s commencement will surpass well over Rs 3.24 trillion. To date, over 110 million farmers nationwide have received payouts totaling over Rs 3.04 trillion. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan previously provided further details about PM Modi’s Varanasi agenda.
At a press conference, Chouhan stated that the Prime Minister would use a single button click from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, to distribute the 17th installment of PM KISAN, which is worth over Rs 20,000 crore, to over 92.6 million beneficiary farmers. About 25 million farmers nationwide are expected to participate in the event, according to the four-time chief minister who was just inaugurated in as the Union Agriculture Minister. To further increase awareness among farmers, 732 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), more than 100,000 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies, and 500,000 Common Service Centers (CSCs) from all over the nation would take part in the event.
Financial Support for Farmers
“This financial assistance will support farmers in meeting their agricultural and other incidental needs. A farmer-centric digital infrastructure has ensured the benefits of the scheme reach all the farmers across the country without any involvement of middlemen. Maintaining absolute transparency in registering and verifying beneficiaries, the Government of India has disbursed over Rs 3.04 trillion to more than 110 million farmers across the nation,” Chouhan said.
“With this release, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries since the inception of the scheme will cross well over Rs 3.24 trillion,” he added. Additionally, a number of Union Ministers will visit 50 KVKs to engage with farmers and spread knowledge of the Department’s many initiatives. He continued, “They will also give certificates to the local trained Krishi Sakhis.”
Role of Krishi Sakhis in Agricultural Mentorship
The Krishi Sakhis are well-suited to assist and mentor other farmers since they have already undergone substantial training in a range of agricultural techniques. Out of 70,000 Krishi Sakhis, more than 34,000 had obtained certification as para-extension workers as of this writing. Prime Minister Modi will also see the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat later in the day, at approximately 7 o’clock. He will offer darshan and puja at the Kashi Vishwanath temple at approximately 8 p.m.