PM-Kisan: Cabinet approves relaxation of Aadhaar seeding of data of beneficiaries

Union Cabinet has approved relaxation of mandatory requirement of Aadhaar Seeded data as pre-condition for release of funds to beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme.

About Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

It is Central Sector Scheme to provide income support to land-holding farmers’ families. It provides income support of Rs 6,000 per year to landholding families, subject to certain exclusions. The amount is released in three four-monthly instalments of Rs. two thousand each directly to beneficiaries bank accounts through DBT mode.

Implementation Progress: Total amount of more than Rs.27000 crores have already been released under PM-KISAN scheme through 1st instalment to 6,76,76,073 beneficiaries, 2nd instalment to 5,14,27,195 beneficiaries and 3rd instalment to 1,74,20,230 beneficiaries.

Need for Relaxation

Under this scheme, release of third instalment from August 2019 onwards to those beneficiaries who got first and second instalments was to be made only on basis of Aadhaar seeded database. However, 100% Aadhaar seeding for release of funds as per prescribed time schedule was not possible before release of instalments after August, 2019. Therefore, mandatory requirement of Aadhaar seeding for release of benefits from August 2019 has been relaxed till 30th November, 2019.

Benefits of relaxation of aadhar seeding: It will enable immediate release of PM-KISAN benefits to large number of farmers who are not able to avail same due this requirement. This mandatory requirement will remain applicable for release of benefits from December, 2019 onwards.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019