On this day in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Gorakhpur, aiming to provide financial assistance to small and marginal farmers across India. While the scheme has benefited millions of farmers, its timing of fund disbursements has sparked debates, with critics questioning whether it is a welfare initiative or an electoral strategy.
PM-KISAN and Its Strategic Timing
PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal installments. However, a noticeable pattern in fund disbursement has raised concerns about its electoral influence.
- The first installment was released in early 2019, just before the Lok Sabha elections.
- The 18th installment was distributed in October 2024, ahead of several state elections.
- The 19th installment is scheduled for February 24, 2025, just before the upcoming general elections.
Adding to these concerns, Prime Minister Modi is set to release the funds from Bhagalpur, Bihar, a politically significant state heading for elections. This repeated alignment between PM-KISAN payouts and election cycles raises questions about whether the scheme is being used as a political tool rather than a purely welfare-driven program.
Challenges in PM-KISAN Implementation
Despite its broad reach, PM-KISAN has several operational inefficiencies that affect its impact on farmers.
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Insufficient Financial Support:
- ₹6,000 per year is not enough to offset the rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural inputs.
- Many farmers end up using the funds for non-agricultural expenses, diluting its intended benefits.
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Frequent Compliance Changes:
- Strict eligibility criteria and verification processes have delayed payments for many deserving farmers.
- Technical errors and Aadhaar mismatches have further excluded beneficiaries.
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Lack of Impact Assessment:
- There is no comprehensive data on whether PM-KISAN has helped in reducing farmer distress or improving agricultural productivity.
- Without proper analysis, its effectiveness as a long-term solution remains uncertain.
Budget 2025: Increased Allocation but Unresolved Issues
In the 2025 Union Budget, the government increased PM-KISAN’s allocation to ₹63,500 crore, signaling a commitment to the scheme. However, critical issues remain unaddressed:
- No increase in annual support: Farmers and analysts have suggested raising the amount to ₹10,000 or ₹12,000 per year, but there is no confirmation from the government.
- No integration with other schemes: PM-KISAN operates in isolation rather than complementing agricultural reforms that could provide broader support.
PM-KISAN: A True Welfare Initiative or Political Move?
While PM-KISAN has provided financial relief to millions of farmers, its electoral timing and operational flaws cast doubt on its long-term effectiveness. For the scheme to be truly impactful, the government must:
✅ Increase financial assistance to match the rising costs of farming.
✅ Ensure timely payments without bureaucratic delays.
✅ Integrate PM-KISAN with broader agricultural policies to create sustainable rural development.
Without these key reforms, PM-KISAN risks being perceived as more of an electoral strategy than a genuine effort to uplift India’s farmers.
