Jammu, Oct 07: In a major relief for farmers affected by recent floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre on Tuesday released ₹171 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The instalment, which marks the 21st under the scheme, will benefit 8.55 lakh farmers across the Union Territory.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the financial assistance during a video conference from Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi. The Centre said the funds have been directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts, including those of 85,418 women cultivators. With this release, farmers in Jammu and Kashmir have so far received a cumulative ₹4,052 crore under PM-KISAN.
Highlighting the Centre’s commitment to stand by farmers in times of distress, Chouhan said the financial aid would help flood-hit families recover and meet immediate agricultural needs. He also underlined additional support being extended through other rural welfare schemes.
According to officials, the rural development ministry has sanctioned ₹85.62 crore under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Gramin) for reconstruction of nearly 5,100 damaged houses. The assistance package includes provisions for toilet construction and additional funds under MGNREGA. The Union Minister further announced that workdays under MGNREGA would be increased from 100 to 150 for affected households, subject to the UT government’s proposal, thereby providing supplementary livelihood opportunities.
The Centre also assured farmers of seeds, fertilisers, and other essential inputs, while stating that additional support could be extended through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) upon request from the J&K administration. Farmers insured under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) would also receive compensation once the state government submits necessary proposals.
Chouhan said the administration has also approved the ‘Jiska kheth, uski reth’ policy, allowing farmers to use sand from their own fields to aid in rebuilding efforts. He reiterated that the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, was committed to ensuring that no farmer in the Union Territory is left alone in this crisis.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has hailed the Centre for the advance release of the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme.
Expressing his gratitude to OM Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Lieutenant Governor said the timely intervention would provide crucial financial support to lakhs of affected farmers across the Union Territory.
In a post on X, Sinha stated that approximately ₹171 crore has been directly credited into the bank accounts of nearly 8.55 lakh eligible farmers of J&K. He stressed that the assistance will help them sustain their livelihoods and speed up recovery to resume agricultural activities disrupted by the floods.
Highlighting the significance of farmers as the backbone of the economy, the LG said their resilience provides a strong foundation for growth across other sectors. He reiterated that the Government of India remains committed to extending all possible help to mitigate the impact of the worst floods witnessed in decades and to ensure stability in the lives of the affected population.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed gratitude to the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
“Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Union Agriculture Minister @ChouhanShivraj for the release of over Rs 170 crore under the 21st PM-KISAN installment, benefiting more than 8.5 lakh farmers in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said from his official handle on X.
The release of the amount follows the Jammu and Kashmir government’s consistent efforts to ensure timely support for the farming community, the chief minister added.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s Agriculture Minister Javed Dar, along with his officers, attended the online function held in this regard.
The PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme launched in 2019 to provide income support to all landholding farmers across the country. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 annually in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each, directly credited into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The scheme aims to supplement farmers’ financial needs for procuring inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, thereby ensuring proper crop health and productivity. Since its inception, PM-KISAN has emerged as one of the largest direct income support initiatives in the world, covering more than 11 crore farmers nationwide.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme has played a vital role in uplifting small and marginal farmers, offering them financial stability amid climatic challenges, natural disasters, and fluctuating market conditions. The latest advance release of funds under the 21st instalment comes as a crucial lifeline, especially in the wake of the recent devastating floods that caused massive damage to agricultural fields across the Union Territory.
Since its launch, the PM-KISAN scheme has transferred more than ₹3 lakh crore directly into farmers’ bank accounts across India, ensuring transparency and eliminating middlemen.
In Jammu and Kashmir alone, lakhs of small and marginal farmers have benefitted from the scheme over the years, receiving timely support for seasonal crops.
The advance release of the 21st instalment assumes even greater significance as it coincides with recovery efforts after unprecedented floods. Officials said that the administration is closely monitoring disbursement to ensure all eligible farmers receive the benefit without delay.
