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PM-KISAN: CSC Launches e-KYC Campaign to Ensure Farmers Get Dues, says Sanjay Rakesh MD & CEO of CSC SPV

The PM-KISAN Yojana, a central sector scheme, was inaugurated on February 24th, 2019, to provide annual financial assistance of Rs. 6000/- to eligible farmer families across the country.

Updated on: 16 February, 2024 8:41 AM IST By: Shivam Dwivedi
PM-KISAN: CSC Launches e-KYC Campaign to Ensure Farmers Get Dues, says Sanjay Rakesh MD & CEO of CSC SPV (Photo Source: @CSCegov_/X)

The PM-Kisan scheme has disbursed over Rs. 2.81 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmer families nationwide. To be eligible for benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers must own cultivable land, have bank accounts linked to Aadhaar, and have completed their eKYC. The Ministry has implemented various measures to facilitate the identification and verification of eligible farmers, including: Establishment of the PM-KISAN Portal and Mobile App with a Know Your Status (KYS) module, Provision of self-registration and face authentication eKYC facilities, Collaboration with CSCs and IPPB for farmer registration and Aadhaar linking of bank accounts.

Despite these efforts, some eligible farmers remain excluded from the scheme, leading to grievances. To address this issue, a saturation drive was conducted with state support from December 1st, 2023, to January 15th, 2024, resulting in the inclusion of over 50 lakh eligible farmers. However, approximately 78 lakh farmers with pending eKYCs still await inclusion.

eKYC Campaign Launched

In a bid to intensify saturation efforts, the Ministry launched a 10-day nationwide campaign exclusively through Common Service Centres (CSCs) from February 12th to 21st, 2024. This campaign prioritises the completion of eKYCs for otherwise eligible farmers. CSCs have been provided with a detailed list of pending eKYCs and instructed to prioritise their completion during the campaign period. Additionally, Aadhaar seeding through IPPB will continue alongside this effort.

Call for Widespread Publicity and Collaboration

To ensure the success of the campaign, widespread publicity is crucial. Special Gram Sabhas may be convened to identify farmers with pending eKYCs, and efforts may be made to complete their eKYCs through CSCs and Village Level Nodal Officers (VLNOs) during the saturation drive. State and district-level meetings, along with CSC officials, are encouraged to effectively target farmers with pending eKYCs. Expenses incurred during these activities can be met from the PM-KISAN Administrative Fund.

Statement of Sanjay Rakesh, MD and CEO of CSC SPV

Speaking elaborately about CSC partnership, Sanjay Rakesh, Managing Director and CEO of CSC SPV, stated, “CSC has always endeavored to improve the lives of citizens in rural areas through various initiatives. Farmers and agriculture are integral parts of our initiatives. Leveraging the extensive network of CSCs present in remote areas across the country, we are already providing various services to farmers such as tele-counseling, crop insurance, e-veterinary services, issuance of Kisan Credit Cards, and PM Kisan Yojana. Our VLEs are ensuring that farmers across the country avail the benefits of the PM Kisan scheme."

"However, some farmers are still not receiving their dues. There are two main reasons for the non-receipt of benefits under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Firstly, due to incomplete eKYC, and secondly, failure to link bank accounts with Aadhaar. To address these issues, we are conducting a special campaign from February 12th to 21st. Through this campaign, CSC entrepreneurs will set up camps in villages to resolve people's issues. Farmers can get solutions to all their problems related to the PM Kisan scheme through these camps. Additionally, if any beneficiary has been deprived of the 15th installment of the PM Kisan scheme, they will receive the funds for the missed installment after the resolution of their issues in this camp,” he added.

Considering the impending release of the 16th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme towards the end of February 2024, state governments are urged to ensure the inclusion of all eligible farmers by February 21st, 2024. This will ensure that the maximum number of eligible farmers can receive their due benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme.

 
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