New Delhi: Centre on Saturday released the 10th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) under which more than Rs 20,000 crore was transferred to over 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. The fund was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a special function on Saturday through video conferencing. PM also released equity grant of more than Rs. 14 crore to about 351 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that is expected to benefit more than 1.24 lakhs farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister offered his condolences for the victims of stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The Prime Minister also informed that he talked to the LG Manoj Sinha regarding the arrangements for the injured. Centre has announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan while the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
Talking to farmers while releasing the funds, PM said, “This year we will complete 75 years of our Independence. This is the time to start a new vibrant journey of the country's resolves, to move forward with renewed vigour.”
Speaking about economy, the Prime Minister said that on many parameter, Indian economy is looking better than pre-Covid days. He pointed out, “Today the growth rate of our economy is more than 8%. Record foreign investment has come to India. Our forex reserves have reached record levels. Old records have also been surpassed in GST collection. We have also set new records in the matter of exports, especially in agriculture.” He said that in 2021 transaction of more than 70 lakh crore rupees was done on UPI. More than 50 thousand start-ups are working in India out of these 10 thousand came up during last six months. India is making unprecedented investment in the sporting infrastructure of the country, the Prime Minister informed.
The Prime Minister said that PM Kisan Samman Nidhi is a big support for India’s farmers. “If we include today’s transfer, more than 1.80 lakh crore rupees have been transferred directly to the accounts of the farmers,” he said.
Through FPO’s, PM said, small farmers are feeling the power of collective strength. He pointed out five benefits of FPOs for small farmers. These benefits are increased bargaining power, scale, innovation, risk management and adaptability to the market conditions. Keeping in mind the benefits of FPO’s the government is promoting them at every level. These FPOs are getting help of upto 15 lakh rupees. As a result, FPOs like Organic FPOs, Oil Seed FPOs, Bamboo clusters and Honey FPOs are coming up all over the country, he said.
“Today our farmers are benefitting from the schemes like ‘One District One Products’ and markets, both nation and global, are opening for them”, the Prime Minister said adding reliance on imports is being reduced by schemes like National Palm Oil Mission with a budget of 11 thousand crore rupees.
“FPOs are playing a stellar role in giving a collective shape to the increasing strength of our small farmers…Confidence of the country’s farmer is the key strength of the country,” PM said.
