Probe variation in PM-Kisan beneficiary count: MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney

New Delhi, February 5

AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney on Monday sought an investigation into the fluctuation in the number of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) beneficiaries, a programme that provides direct income support of Rs 6,000 per year to vulnerable farmers having cultivable land up to two acres.

“There were 11.8 crore beneficiaries of PM-Kisan. Now, there are 3.87 crore. There should be an investigation into this,” said Sahney while making his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President’s speech.

While presenting the Interim Budget on February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said as many as 11.8 crore farmers were provided financial assistance under the PM-Kisan Yojana.

According to the government data, 3.16 crore farmers benefited from the maiden disbursement for 2018-19. In 2019-20, the number rose to 9.11 crore and to 10.13 crore in 2020-21 and further to 10.72 crore in 21-22. However, in 22-23, the number of beneficiaries fell to 10.71 crore and to just 8.56 crore in 23-24.