Government financial assistance is an important hope for many farmers to meet the cost of farming. Both the state government’s Krishak Bandhu and the center’s PM Kisan scheme provide direct financial assistance to farmers in West Bengal. However, although they seem similar, the rules of these two schemes are not the same. Where and how much money is available, in how many installments and how to apply – find out the details.
How much money is available in Krishak Bandhu per year?
The West Bengal government’s Krishak Bandhu scheme provides financial assistance based on the amount of land. According to the information provided, eligible farmers with one acre or more of land can get a maximum of Rs 10,000 per year. Usually this money is given in two installments. Even if the land is less than one acre, there is an opportunity to get financial assistance proportionally according to the amount of land. As a result, there is a relationship between the amount of land and the amount of money available under the Krishak Bandhu scheme.
There is also death assistance
One of the important features of the Krishak Bandhu scheme is financial assistance to the family in the event of the death of a registered farmer. It is mentioned that if an eligible farmer between the ages of 18 and 60 dies, his family will be given a one-time assistance of Rs 2 lakh.
PM Kisan 6 thousand rupees per year
The central government’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi or PM Kisan scheme provides a total financial assistance of 6 thousand rupees per year to eligible landowner farmer families.
This money is not given at once. It is usually sent directly to the farmer’s bank account in three installments of 2 thousand rupees, every four months.
However, in the case of PM Kisan, certain categories of people have been excluded from the benefits. In addition, it is important to complete e-KYC to get the benefits.
What is the main difference between the two schemes?
Although the purpose of the two schemes is to provide financial assistance to farmers, they are structurally different.
Subject Krishak Bandhu PM Kisan
Managed by West Bengal Government Central Government
Annual assistance maximum Rs 10,000 Rs 6,000
Installment usually 2 installments of Rs 2,000 each, 3 installments
Eligible landowner farmer family according to the amount of land base
Additional benefit Income assistance of Rs 2 lakh on death of eligible farmer
Important/necessary as per e-KYC scheme rules
How to apply for Krishak Bandhu?
To apply for Krishak Bandhu scheme, one can contact the local Gram Panchayat or Agriculture Department office in addition to the online portal. Generally, land records, identity cards, bank account details, mobile number and other necessary documents may be required for application. It is better to check the current list of documents with the concerned department before applying.
PM Kisan Application Procedure
There is a facility for registering new farmers online for PM Kisan from the Farmer Corner of the concerned portal. Aadhaar, mobile number, land records and bank account information may be required while applying. In addition to the online process, the application can also be made by contacting the local agriculture department, Common Service Centre (CSC) or authorized service centre with the required documents.
For whom is which scheme more important?
Whether the same farmer can avail the benefits of both the state and central schemes if he meets the specific eligibility conditions will depend on the current rules and eligibility of the respective scheme. Therefore, it is important to check the land records, farmer identity, e-KYC and other conditions without deciding only by looking at the name of the scheme.
What is known about the new application?
According to the administrative information provided, it has been informed that the new application process for the benefits of the two schemes is likely to start by the end of August. There may be an opportunity to apply through Jan Kalyan Shibir and the online system. However, the final government guidelines regarding the specific date of application start, eligibility and required documents should be followed once they are published.
Krishak Bandhu of the West Bengal government and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi of the Centre are both important schemes to provide financial assistance to farmers. However, there are several differences in the amount of financial assistance, installment rules, eligibility and additional benefits of the two. Krishak Bandhu provides assistance of up to Rs 10,000 per year along with financial benefit on death. On the other hand, under PM Kisan, eligible farmer families get Rs 6,000 per year.