Comparing PM-KISAN with Rythu Bandhu scheme of Telangana

The union government announced the PM-KISAN farm support scheme to address the farm sector in crisis. Similar initiatives have already been announced by states. Here’s a comparison of the centre’s farm support scheme PM-KISAN with similar schemes from various states.

PM-KISAN and Rythu Bandhu of Telangana

The Centres Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) would provide an annual grant of Rs 6,000 to farmers. Below is the comparison with Rythu Bandhu of Telangana:

• PM-KISAN has a cap of two hectares to make a farmer eligible for the scheme. But the Rythu Bandhu of Telangana posses no restrictions on the extent of land one should own. However, there is a restriction on the acreage to 50 acres in the Rabi season for Rythu Bandhu payouts.
• The capping of acreage at five acres under PM-KISAN would be disadvantageous to farmers in the rain-fed areas, where the farmers, even if they have more land, would still require financial assistance.
• While the centre’s farm support is ₹6,000 in three equal instalments, farmers get Rs 8,000 in two instalments ahead of the Kharif and Rabi in Telangana and the government has already promised to increase it to Rs 10000 in the current year.
• Since the intricacies of the PM-KISAN are yet to be declared, it is not clear whether the PM-KISAN would include tenant farmers in the scheme. Rythu Bandhu incorporates even the tenant farmers under the scheme.

KALIA and Krishak Bandhu

The KALIA scheme of Odisha offers annual assistance of Rs 12,500 each to each to farmers and Krishak Bandhu scheme of West Bengal offers an aid of Rs 5000 to farmers.
Of all, the KALIA scheme of Odisha looks more comprehensive since it covers the landless agricultural labourers too and also seeks to provide help to vulnerable agricultural households, besides promising interest-free crop loan.
The schemes of Telangana, Odisha and West Bengal have also incorporated the component of insurance. The payouts in Odisha and West Bengal are yet to happen.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2019