Kumar Bahukhandi
Funds of Honor Reach the Accounts of Food Providers: The ‘Double Engine’ Government is Constantly Working for the Prosperity of Farmers — Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur : Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. During this event, an amount exceeding ₹18,640 crores was directly transferred to the accounts of over 90 million farmers across the country. On this occasion, a sum of ₹498.83 crores was transferred to the accounts of 2.471 million farmers in Chhattisgarh.
Addressing farmers at the “PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Fund Transfer and PM Kisan Utsav Diwas” program—held at the auditorium of the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in the state capital, Raipur—Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that today marks a significant day for the farming brothers and sisters of the state. He noted that, through the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers receive financial assistance totaling ₹6,000 annually, disbursed in three installments; this assistance serves as a symbol of respect for the farmers’ hard work and their invaluable contribution.
Chief Minister Sai highlighted that farmers in Chhattisgarh have, to date, received a total amount exceeding ₹11,283 crores under the PM-KISAN scheme. He emphasised that the state government accords the highest priority to the interests of farmers. Immediately upon assuming office, the government’s first initiative was to provide bonus payments to farmers, resulting in the transfer of ₹3,716 crores to the accounts of 1.3 million farmers.
Chief Minister Sai further stated that Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country to procure paddy at a rate of 21 quintals per acre, with payments being made at a rate of ₹3,100 per quintal. The government has ensured that payments for paddy procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) are credited to farmers’ accounts within 48 hours of procurement. Additionally, under the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’ (Farmers’ Progress Scheme), a sum of ₹10,324 crores was transferred to the accounts of over 2.5 million farmers just before the festival of Holi.
Chief Minister Sai stated that, with the aim of boosting farmers’ income, the government is actively encouraging the cultivation of crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize, Kodo-Kutki, Ragi, and cotton. Free electricity is being provided for agricultural pumps used for irrigation, for which a provision of ₹5,500 crore has been made in this year’s budget. Additionally, a provision of ₹40 crore has been allocated to promote organic farming. With the objective of ensuring water reaches farmers’ fields, irrigation projects worth ₹10,000 crore have also been initiated over the past two years.
Addressing the gathering, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam remarked that the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme is proving to be a significant source of support for farmers. He appealed to farmers to focus on cultivating other crops alongside paddy, noting that this would lead to water conservation and an increase in their income. Dharasiva MLA Anuj Sharma also addressed the farmers and extended his congratulations.
Present on this occasion were MLA Anuj Sharma, District Panchayat President Naveen Agarwal, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Seed and Agriculture Development Corporation Chandrahas Chandrakar, Director of the Agriculture Department Rahul Dev, MD of the Chhattisgarh Seed Development Corporation Ajay Agarwal, and Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Dr. Girish Chandel, along with other public representatives, officials, and a large number of farmers.
