District Administration Takes Action Against 4,189 Ineligible Beneficiaries of PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme

In a significant move aimed at preserving the integrity of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, the Kangra district administration has issued recovery notices to 4,189 individuals who were deemed ineligible beneficiaries. These recipients had collectively received over Rs 5.72 crore since the scheme's inception in 2019. This proactive stance by the district administration seeks to rectify discrepancies and uphold the program's original objective: assisting small and marginal farmers throughout the country.

Official sources have disclosed that these individuals, who received benefits under PM-KISAN, did not meet the eligibility criteria. Investigations revealed that they were non-agriculturists and non-farmers, with some having alternative sources of income, such as pensions and salaries. Astonishingly, a few beneficiaries were identified as income taxpayers, and in some cases, even Class 1 government officers had availed themselves of benefits intended for the farming community.

Upon uncovering this irregularity, the district administration acted swiftly, instructing the ineligible beneficiaries to return the wrongly credited amount of Rs 572,88,000 to the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the PM-KISAN scheme with the primary goal of supporting small and marginal farmers across India, making these unauthorized claims a matter of grave concern.

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To address this issue comprehensively, the district administration has deployed 24 revenue officials to identify ineligible beneficiaries and recover the misappropriated funds. As of now, 722 ineligible beneficiaries have voluntarily returned Rs 95.36 lakh to the state government, indicating progress in rectifying the situation.

A senior state government official emphasized that the PM-KISAN scheme exclusively targets small and marginal farmers with agricultural land. It is not intended for government employees, pensioners, or taxpayers. Further investigations are ongoing, and it is likely that more ineligible beneficiaries will be uncovered as the inquiry unfolds.

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Notably, Jawali tehsil topped the list in the district, with 379 ineligible beneficiaries who received Rs 62.28 lakh under the scheme. In Nurpur, Rs 51.74 lakh was credited to the bank accounts of 311 ineligible individuals, and in Indora, 305 such beneficiaries received Rs 37.60 lakh. Palampur saw 266 ineligible beneficiaries receiving Rs 45.78 lakh, while in Jaisinghpur, 287 persons received Rs 34.34 lakh.

A notification issued by the Central Government on February 24, 2019, clearly outlines the eligibility criteria, stating that government employees, pensioners, sitting MLAs and MPs, former MLAs and MPs, income tax payers, and pensioners with a monthly income exceeding Rs 10,000 are not eligible for the PM-KISAN scheme. Despite these guidelines, some government employees continued to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits.

Nipun Jindal, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, affirmed that the district administration has identified all ineligible beneficiaries and initiated the recovery process. Tehsildars have been instructed to oversee the fund recovery efforts. Irregularities came to light when the Central Government mandated that all beneficiaries complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, shedding light on those who were wrongly benefiting from the scheme.

The crackdown on ineligible beneficiaries not only aims to rectify financial improprieties but also underscores the government's commitment to ensuring that welfare schemes reach their intended recipients and make a meaningful impact on the lives of small and marginal farmers.

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