Targeting farmers on basis of landholding won't benefit large rural population: Expert

Targeting farmers on the basis of landholding is unlikely to benefit a large section of the rural population in India and will create fiscal burden without solving the actual problem, an expert at an American think-tank has said.

Responding to questions on the government's budgetary proposal to provide direct financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per annum to about 120 million small and marginal farmers and that of minimum income guarantee announced by opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Anit Mukherjee described them as a political gimmick before the elections.

"There is some evidence that targeting on the basis of landholding would not benefit a large section of the rural population who are equally if not more in distress. This might even backfire politically if the government is seen to be favouring the already well-off farmers," Mukherjee, a policy fellow at the Center for Global Development think-tank, told PTI in an interview.

Well known for his works on issues of governance, public finance, and service delivery in developing countries, Mukherjee's current research focuses on impact of biometric ID and digital payment systems to reform public subsidies, improve financial inclusion, and promote gender empowerment