Separate functions to launch PM Kisan scheme in Kerala

Separate functions to mark the launch of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, an income support scheme for farmers, in Kerala Sunday, triggered a row with the ruling CPI(M) accusing the BJP of trying to brand all central projects as it own.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday launched the PM-KISAN scheme transferring the first instalment of Rs 2,000 each to over one crore farmers across the country.

While the CPI(M)-led government had inaugurated the project at Kottayam district, Union minister Alphons Kannanthanam organised a function in the city.

"The separate inauguration was a political move by the BJP to brand all the union government projects as its party programmes," Agriculture Minister Sunil Kumar said after inaugurating the state-level launch of the scheme in Kottayam.

He also said that the Centre had not informed the state about the parallel inauguration.

Kumar charged the Minister with turning the event into a party function by not involving the state government during the state-level launch of the scheme.

Meanwhile, in a separate function at the nearby Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Kannathanam inaugurated the live webcasting of the launch of the scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh.

Noting that the scheme was to ensure a stable income to the farmers of the country, he wondered how the state could take credit for all the Central schemes.

In the interim Budget 2019-20, the central government had announced the PM-KISAN scheme under which Rs 6,000 per year will be given in three instalments to 12 crore small and marginal farmers holding cultivable land up to two hectares.