Union Cabinet has approved the relaxation of the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar Seeded data as a pre-condition for the release of funds to the beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme.
The scheme provides income support of Rs 6,000 per year to landholding families, subject to certain exclusions. The amount is released in three 4-monthly installments of Rs 2,000 each directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through DBT mode.
Under this scheme, after 1st August, 2019, the release of 3rd Installment onwards to those beneficiaries who got the first installment during December, 2018 – March, 2019 and 2nd installment during April-July, 2019 is to be made only on the basis of Aadhaar seeded database. Similarly, after 1st August, 2019, the release of 2nd installment onwards to those who got 1st installment during April-July, 2019 is to be made only on the basis of Aadhaar seeded database. Again, after 1st August, 2019, the release of 1st installment onwards to the rest of the beneficiaries after 1st August, 2019 is to be made only on the basis of Aadhaar seeded database. Farmers in the States of Assam, Meghalaya and J&K, where there has not been enough Aadhaar penetration, have been exempted from this requirement till 31-03-2020.
However, it has not been possible to get 100% Aadhaar seeding for the release of funds as per the prescribed time schedule before the release of installments after 1st August, 2019. Since the farmers are still gearing up for Rabi season, they are in dire need of money to take care of various farming activities like procurement of seeds, preparation of soil and other associated activities like irrigation, maintenance and mobilization of machinery and tools. Over and above these pressing needs, the just started festive season will put further stress on the financial condition of the poor farmers’ households in the country. Non-seeding of beneficiaries’ details with Aadhaar number will delay the release of further instalments and will cause discontentment among the farmers. Therefore, the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar seeding for release of benefits after 1st August, 2019 has been relaxed till 30th November, 2019. This will enable the immediate release of benefits to a large number of farmers who are not able to avail the same due to this requirement. This mandatory requirement will remain applicable for release of benefits w.e.f. 1st December 2019 onwards. The Government will take adequate measures to validate the data before payment is made.
Cabinet
[Press Release dt. 09-10-2019]
