Pradhan Mantri Kisan Yojana: 81000 ineligible farmers in Bihar will have to return the installment

Patna. Bihar government has directed public sector banks to expedite the process of withdrawing money from about 81000 ineligible farmers who received funds under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The Central Government has found him ineligible to pay income tax or for other reasons. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana is a central scheme which is 100% funded by the Government of India. Under this scheme, from December 1, 2018, all land holding farmer families are given financial assistance of Rs 6000 per year in three equal installments.

State governments identify the farmer families who are eligible for assistance as per the guidelines of the scheme and the funds are sent directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Alok Ranjan Ghosh, Director (Agriculture), Bihar government, told PTI, “After investigation, the central government identified a total of 81595 farmers in Bihar (from the year 2020) as ineligible beneficiaries. The state agriculture department has asked all concerned banks to expedite the process of withdrawing funds from ineligible farmers. About Rs 81.59 crore is to be taken back from 81595 farmers of the state.

The director said, “In the recent meeting of the State Level Bankers Committee, all senior officials of the banks have been asked to give top priority to starting the process of withdrawing the amount from ineligible farmers. Banks have also been advised to send fresh reminders to ineligible farmers, if necessary. Apart from this, banks have also been asked to stop transactions from the accounts of ineligible farmers.” He said that some banks have so far withdrawn Rs 10.31 crore from ineligible beneficiary farmers. He said that North Bihar Gramin Bank and South Bihar Gramin have also withdrawn some amount from ineligible beneficiary farmers. He said, “The beneficiaries of this scheme who have been found ineligible by the government to pay income tax or due to other reasons, will have to return the amount received so far to the government.” This scheme was started to provide minimum income support to the farmers, but under the scheme the amount was also distributed to thousands of ineligible farmers. The objective of the scheme is to meet the financial needs of small and marginal farmers to ensure proper crop maintenance and reasonable yields during each crop cycle. It also saves them from falling into the clutches of moneylenders to meet such expenses and ensures their continuity in agricultural activities.

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