World
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhagalpur, Bihar, on February 24 to release the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, a direct cash transfer initiative for farmers. During his visit, he will also launch several key infrastructure and development projects in the state. This visit comes ahead of the upcoming Bihar state elections later this year.
PM-KISAN Scheme: Direct Benefit Transfer to Farmers
PM-KISAN is a government program that provides direct financial assistance to farmers across India. Under this scheme, eligible farmers receive an annual income support of ₹6,000, distributed in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months. The scheme was launched on February 24, 2019, and aims to provide financial stability to farmers.
Speaking about the upcoming installment, PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Ours is a Government devoted to the welfare of farmers. Taking that spirit forward, the 19th installment of PM-KISAN will be distributed to crores of farmers from the programme in Bhagalpur.”
Over ₹21,500 Crore to Benefit 9.7 Crore Farmers
According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), over 9.7 crore farmers across the country will receive financial benefits exceeding ₹21,500 crore through this installment. The funds will be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
The responsibility of identifying eligible beneficiaries lies with state governments, following the guidelines of the scheme. Land-owning farming households can enroll in the scheme, except for those who fall under certain exclusion criteria. These exclusions include income-tax payers, government employees, elected representatives, and individuals receiving a monthly pension of ₹10,000 or more.
New Development Projects to Be Inaugurated
Along with the PM-KISAN release, PM Modi will also inaugurate and lay the foundation for several major projects in Bihar. These include:
- Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Breeds: This new facility will be set up in Motihari, East Champaran district, to support the conservation and improvement of native livestock breeds.
- Milk Processing Plant in Barauni: A new milk processing unit will be established in Barauni, Begusarai district, boosting the dairy sector in Bihar and helping farmers enhance their income.
- Ismailpur-Rafiganj Road Over Bridge: The PM will inaugurate a newly constructed road over bridge, improving connectivity and reducing travel time for commuters.
- Doubling of Warisaliganj–Nawada–Tilaiya Rail Section: This project aims to enhance railway capacity and ensure smoother transportation for passengers and goods.
The previous installment of the PM-KISAN scheme was released by PM Modi on October 5, 2024, in Washim, Maharashtra. During this event, over 9.4 crore farmers received financial assistance totaling more than ₹20,000 crore through DBT.
