Disaster-affected farmers of Jammu and Kashmir get relief from the Central Government

Union Minister of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, today released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in advance to flood- and landslide-affected farmers of Jammu and Kashmir via video conferencing from Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh , Union Agriculture Secretary Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi , Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, and senior officials were present at the simple ceremony . Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Minister Shri Javed Ahmad Dar , other public representatives , officials , and farmers joined the program virtually. Under today’s installment, ₹ 171 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of approximately 8.55 lakh farmers , including 85,418 women farmers. A total of ₹ 4,052 crore has been disbursed to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir under PM-KISAN so far.

On this occasion, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Central Government , under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers of Jammu and Kashmir affected by floods and other calamities . We will help all the affected farmers and others overcome the crisis . In this series, this installment amount of PM-Kisan is a big relief , which will enable the farmers to carry out their essential work. Shri Shivraj Singh said that we will not leave any farmer alone in this hour of crisis. The Central Government is providing all possible help through its various schemes and assistance programs . In future also , the affected residents will be helped as per the provisions .

Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh informed that information has been received from the Jammu and Kashmir government through a memorandum regarding the damage to approximately 5100 houses. For the reconstruction of these houses , a special proposal of Rs 85.62 crore has been approved by the Union Rural Development Ministry under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana . In addition to the basic assistance amount , funds will also be provided for toilet construction and MNREGA , so that people can rebuild their houses. Furthermore , upon receiving the proposal from the state, the Rural Development Ministry will provide wages for 150 days instead of 100 days under MNREGA , which will provide additional livelihood support to the affected families.

Shri Shivraj Singh said that the Central Government is fully prepared to provide seeds , fertilizers and other necessities for restarting farming . Under the policy of ‘whoever owns the field, his own sand’, the State Government has given permission to sell sand . There is also a provision to provide funds under the NDRF if needed, upon receiving a proposal from the State. Shri Shivraj Singh said that upon receiving a proposal from the State under the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme, the Union Agriculture Ministry will make arrangements to transfer the amount to the affected farmers in their accounts.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and State Agriculture Minister Javed Ahmed Dar also spoke at the event and expressed gratitude for the central government’s assistance. Both ministers also thanked Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan for his recent visit to the affected area.