News Excerpt: 

The Prime Minister released the 15th Installment of PM KISAN Scheme on ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’.

About PM KISAN:

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, launched in February 2019, to provide direct financial assistance to land-holding farmers.
• The scheme is designed to supplement the financial needs of farmers and support them in meeting their agricultural and other incidental expenses.
• It is considered one of the world's largest Direct Benefit Transfer schemes.
• The scheme's 15th installment, emphasizes on promoting agriculture, empowering farmers, and ensuring sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
• Key features:

• • Financial Assistance: Eligible farmers receive a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year, distributed in three equal instalments every four months.
  • Inclusive Coverage: The scheme is targeted at all land-holding farmers, with certain exclusion criteria based on higher income status.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The financial assistance is transferred through the DBT mode, ensuring that the funds reach the beneficiaries directly without any intermediary involvement.
  • Technological Solutions: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has introduced technological solutions to facilitate the implementation of the scheme.
    • Mobile application with facial authentication-based e-KYC. 
    • Allowing farmers to complete their own e-KYC and assist others in their neighbourhood. 
    • PM-KISAN AI Chatbot (Kisan e-Mitra) has been launched to address farmers' grievances related to the scheme.
    • Providing support in multiple languages through voice and text assistance.

About Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: 

• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas is celebrated on November 15 each year.
•  The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a tribal leader who fought against British colonial rule in the late 19th century.
• The event displays the unique tribal cultural heritage, their contributions to freedom struggle, practices, rights, traditions, cuisines, health, education and livelihood.