Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released Rs 20,000 crore as part of the income support scheme for more than 9.26 crore farmers.
Modi released the amount during the PM Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi. It was his first visit to his Lok Sabha constituency after assuming office as prime minister for the third consecutive term.
After being sworn-in as prime minister, Modi signed his first file authorising the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
Modi released the instalment amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crore to over 9.26 crore farmers under the scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and deputy chief ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak among others at the event.
Reacting to The announcement, Congress took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the “recycling” of the headlines before the release of the 17th installment of PM-KISAN, saying it is not some “prasad” being bestowed on farmers but it’s their legitimate right.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said as soon as the “one-third Pradhan Mantri” assumed office on 9th June, headlines screamed that the very first file he signed was to release the 17th instalment of PM-KISAN.
“Today again the headlines scream that the ‘one-third’ Pradhan Mantri will release the 17th instalment of PM Kisan. This is how headlines keep getting recycled,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
As soon as the एक तिहाई Pradhan Mantri assumed office on 9th June, headlines screamed that the very first file he signed was to release 17th instalment of PM-Kisan.
Today again the headlines scream that the एक तिहाई Pradhan Mantri will release the 17th instalment of PM Kisan.… https://t.co/NVHfovJODM
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 18, 2024
“The non-biological PM is not bestowing some prasad on kisaans. It is their legitimate right and entitlement,” the Congress leader said.