Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 23 June 2023
The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, unveiled the PM-Kisan mobile app, which integrates face authentication technology, as part of the ambitious ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’ scheme. The app aims to provide income assistance to farmers and showcases the implementation of advanced technology. Farmers can now conveniently complete their e-KYC remotely, without the need for OTP or fingerprints. Additionally, the app allows farmers to assist up to 100 others in completing their e-KYC process from their homes. The Government of India has expanded the e-KYC capability to State Government officials, empowering them to conduct e-KYC for 500 farmers each.
The launch event, held at the Agriculture Building in New Delhi, witnessed virtual participation from thousands of farmers, central and State Government officials, and representatives from government agencies and agricultural organizations. Minister Tomar praised the extensive and ambitious nature of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme and acknowledged the diligent efforts of State Governments in its implementation. To date, nearly 8 crore farmers have received installment payments through the scheme after completing the KYC process.
Emphasizing the revolutionary nature of the PM-Kisan scheme, Mr. Tomar highlighted its ability to provide direct benefits to farmers without intermediaries. He commended the implementation of the scheme and emphasized the simplified process facilitated by the newly created app. Mr. Tomar urged State Governments to work swiftly, enabling the maximum number of eligible farmers to receive the 14th installment of the scheme. He also called for active participation from all State Governments in this endeavor.
During the program, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Mr. Kailash Chaudhary, expressed that the agriculture sector is reaping the benefits of technology, and the app’s new features would further enhance convenience for farmers. Officials such as Secretary of Agriculture, Shri Manoj Ahuja, and Additional Secretary, Shri Pramod Kumar Meharda, explained the app’s functionalities. The program was conducted by the Department’s Advisor, Mr. Manoj Kumar Gupta. State Government officials also shared their experiences regarding the scheme’s benefits and the app. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare aims to engage youth in connecting more farmers to the app and will provide certificates to assisting youth based on predefined criteria.
PM-Kisan stands as one of the world’s largest direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes, wherein farmers receive an annual amount of Rs. 6,000 directly transferred to their bank accounts in three installments linked to their Aadhaar. Over Rs. 2.42 lakh crore has been disbursed to the bank accounts of more than 11 crore farmers, including over 3 crore women. The PM-Kisan scheme has been a strong companion for farmers even during the COVID lockdown, providing them with direct financial assistance, essential facilities, and confidence during challenging times. The app resolves difficulties related to Aadhaar authentication and bank account details update on the PM-Kisan portal processes through effective utilization of digital public goods.
An impressive achievement has been observed with the successful direct payment of the 13th installment of PM-Kisan to over 8.1 crore farmers through Aadhaar-enabled payment. The user-friendly PM-Kisan app is readily available for download on the Google Play Store and provides crucial information about the scheme and PM-Kisan accounts. It includes a “Know Your Status” module, enabling farmers to access their land records, link their Aadhaar with bank accounts, and check their e-KYC status. The Department has also included India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) for opening bank accounts linked to Aadhaar at the beneficiaries’ doorsteps. Additionally, the Department has instructed CSC to organize Village-level e-KYC camps in collaboration with States/UTs, facilitating the process for farmers.
The PM-Kisan app launch marks a significant step forward in leveraging technology for farmers’ welfare, ensuring streamlined access to benefits and empowering them with essential information.