In response to supplementary questions in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary stated that the agriculture budget under the Modi government has increased from Rs 23,000 crore in 2013 to Rs 1,32,000 crore this year.
"Of this, more than half, or approximately Rs 65,000 crore, is paid directly to farmers through DBT...As part of Kisan Samman Nidhi, an amount of Rs 2,24,000 crore has gone directly into the accounts of 11.5 crore farmers," he told the house.
He also informed the House that the government has assisted in the formation of the Farmers' Producers Organisation (FPA) to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. He said that farmers participating in the scheme will receive the technology, which will help them reduce costs and conduct business.
To a question on why the number of farmers getting money from the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi have reduced by 6 lakh, the minister said, "Some farmers who were income tax payees and were holding political positions, the money meant to be given as support under the PM Kisan Nidhi fund was not meant for them. So we weeded them out and reduced the population.
"The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Government of India is committed to the welfare of farmers in the country and is implementing many schemes for farmers' welfare," the minister stated in his written response.
Funds from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) yojana are deposited directly into farmers' accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). "The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) aims to provide financial assistance to landholding farmer families across the country to enable them to meet agricultural expenses/needs," he explained.
Choudhary informed the House that the Scheme transfers Rs 6,000 annually in quarterly installments of Rs 2,000. "District-wise details of funds transferred to Rajasthan farmers so far under PM-KISAN," the minister continued.
