Picture : ANI / X
Taking charge as prime minister in his third term, Narendra Modi signed his first file authorising the release of 17th installment of the ‘PM Kisan Nidhi’ funds amounting to nearly Rs 20,000 crore, which will benefit around 9.3 crore farmers.
After signing on to the release of funds, Modi said, “Ours is a government fully committed to ‘kisan kalyan’ (farmers’ welfare). It is, therefore, fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to it. We want to keep working even more for farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.”
The decision signifies the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare following the ruling National Democratic Alliance’s poll win, albeit with some setback, especially in parts of rural India.
Reacting to the news, The Congress party took a dig and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi did no special favour to farmers by releasing the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi fund, which was due to them a month ago but delayed by the poll code .
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the release of the 17th instalment of funds, which Modi is touting as the first decision of his new government, is the legitimate entitlement due to farmers, according to the policy of his government. “If he is genuinely concerned about farmers, the prime minister should grant legal status to minimum support price (MSP) for their produce, announce a farm loan waiver and provide guaranteed insurance payment directly into their bank accounts,” he said.
