CSCs start registering farmers for PM-Kisan scheme

Eligible farmers can now register at common service centres for the PM-Kisan scheme under which the government offers Rs 6,000 minimum income support annually.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), Rs 6,000 will be given in three instalments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares.

"CSC has been roped in by the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the coverage of the scheme. Over 3 lakh CSCs (common service centres) spread across the country will now start enrolling farmers eligible for the PM-Kisan scheme. Farmers can now visit nearby CSCs to get enrolled and avail the scheme's benefit," CSC Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Tyagi said in a statement on Wednesday.

The ministry has tied up with the CSC e-Governance Services, a special purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Informational Technology and Electronics, to fulfil the target of enrolling 14 crore marginal farmers across India.

"CSCs have also been given the mandate to make any changes in previous enrolment. Any farmer who is already a beneficiary and wants to make changes in his enrolment form like address or nominee can visit CSCs to get it done," Tyagi said.

PM-Kisan is an income support scheme funded by the Centre under which the government pays Rs 6,000 in three instalments of Rs 2,000 each to farmers.

CSC has already been doing the enrolment work for PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana, a Centre-sponsored pension scheme for farmers.

According to sources, only 7 crore farmers have been enrolled in the PM-Kisan scheme against the target of 14 crore. Till now, local patwaris, revenue officers and nodal officer (PM-Kisan) nominated by the state governments were responsible for enrolment of farmers.