On June 18, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 17th installment of the PM-Kisan scheme during an event in Varanasi. This installment disbursed over ₹20,000 crore to the accounts of more than 9.26 crore farmers nationwide. At the same event, PM Modi presented certificates to approximately 30,000 Krishi Sakhis (agricultural friends). The event was attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan.
During his first address in Varanasi after forming the government for the third time, PM Modi announced several key decisions for farmers and the poor. He declared the decision to build three crore homes and launched a special scheme for poor farmers. He also committed to creating three crore 'Lakhpati Didis' (women millionaires). The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana has significantly benefited numerous farmers.
At the event in Varanasi, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan welcomed the Prime Minister and congratulated him. He emphasized that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and that farmers are its soul. With a single click, PM Modi signed the file for the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, disbursing over ₹20,000 crore to the accounts of 9.26 crore farmers. So far, approximately ₹3.24 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers' accounts under this scheme. Over the past five years, this initiative has significantly impacted farmers, with the World Bank and other organizations recognizing its broad vision, scale, and direct beneficiary transfers.
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme is one of the world's largest direct benefit initiatives, leveraging a digital platform to transfer welfare funds to farmers and promote agricultural practices. The scheme ensures uniform assistance reaches all farmers, playing a crucial role in agricultural empowerment.
₹483.85 Crore Transferred to Chhattisgarh Farmers: During the event in Varanasi, PM Modi also transferred ₹483.85 crore to the bank accounts of over 23.59 lakh farmers in Chhattisgarh under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The Prime Minister praised the farmers of the country and highlighted that under the 17th installment of the scheme, ₹20,000 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers across the nation.
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