The government has disbursed Rs 20,657 crore to over 9.58 crore farmers as part of the 18th installment under the PM-KISAN scheme for the August-November 2024 period.
In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture, Ram Nath Thakur, stated that 9,58,97,635 farmers received Rs 20,657.36 crore through the scheme’s Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Launched in February 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM-KISAN scheme aims to support the financial needs of land-holding farmers. It provides a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year, distributed in three equal installments directly into the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of farmers.
Thakur highlighted that a farmer-centric digital infrastructure ensures the benefits reach farmers nationwide without involving intermediaries. He also emphasised that the scheme maintains transparency in registering and verifying beneficiaries. Since its inception, the government has disbursed more than Rs 3.46 lakh crore through 18 installments.
Addressing another question, the minister informed that recoveries from ineligible farmers—such as those who are income taxpayers, in higher income groups, or government employees—have been initiated by state governments. So far, Rs 335 crore has been recovered from these beneficiaries across the country.
Thakur also clarified that there are currently no plans to extend the scheme to tenant farmers.
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