81.67 lakh farmers in MP to receive ₹1,634 crore:PM-Kisan instalment due on June 20; Shivraj takes swipe at Meenakshi Natarajan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced in Bhopal that the 23rd instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme will be released on June 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the instalment from Tarakeswar in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. Chouhan said more than Rs 1,634 crore will be directly transferred into the bank accounts of 81.67 lakh farmers in Madhya Pradesh. He said the assistance, being released before the start of the Kharif season, would provide significant relief to farmers. Responding to a question on Meenakshi Natarajan’s satyagraha, Chouhan remarked, “What is the use of regretting now when the bird has already eaten the crop.” Chouhan said that under the PM-Kisan scheme, nearly Rs 4.28 lakh crore has already been transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts across the country through 22 instalments. Under the 23rd instalment, more than Rs 18,800 crore will be transferred to nearly 9 crore farmers nationwide. PM Kisan Utsav Diwas will be celebrated across the country The Union Minister said PM Kisan Utsav Diwas will be observed nationwide on the occasion of the release of the 23rd instalment. Programmes will be organised at 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, 113 ICAR institutions, agricultural universities, and at the state, district, block and gram panchayat levels. An estimated 4 crore farmers are expected to participate in these events from different locations and listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. Farmers of West Bengal will also benefit Shivraj Singh Chouhan said farmers in West Bengal had earlier not received the full benefits of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, but now 44.42 lakh farmers in the state will also receive assistance under the programme. He said this would provide financial support to small and marginal farmers in West Bengal. Decision soon on procurement of pulses at MSP The Union Agriculture Minister said the Centre has permitted Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to procure moong, urad and masoor under the PM-AASHA scheme at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Regarding Madhya Pradesh, he said discussions with the state government are continuing and a decision will be taken after a meeting scheduled for Friday. Center’s Focus on El Nio and Monsoon The Union Agriculture Minister said the Centre has permitted Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat to procure moong, urad and masoor under the PM-AASHA scheme at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Regarding Madhya Pradesh, he said discussions with the state government are continuing and a decision will be taken after a meeting scheduled for Friday. Preparation for Low Rainfall Situation as Well The Union Minister said that if there is a prolonged dry spell or rainfall remains below normal, farmers will be provided with alternative cropping options. He added that the Centre and state governments are jointly preparing district-level strategies to minimise losses to farmers. Advice to States on Stubble Management Shivraj Singh Chouhan said states have also been advised to take necessary steps in advance for stubble management. He said coordination is being carried out especially with paddy-producing states on crop residue management to minimise damage to both the environment and agriculture.