Kisan Nidhi historic second step to ensure direct benefit of transfer to farmers: Rupala

Puttur: Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala, Union minister of state for panchayati raj, agriculture and farmers welfare, on Sunday lauded efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in ensuring that central funds reached directly to the accounts of Indian farmers.
This is second such effort in post-Independent India where funds are directly being allocated to the rural area, the first attempt being done with transfer of funds directly to the gram panchayats, he said.

Inaugurating the farmers’ fair and live webcast of inauguration of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) at the Directorate of Cashew Research here on Sunday, Rupala said if the direct transfer of funds to gram panchayats (GPs), the first democratic unit that empowered village headmen and strengthened GPs, PM-Kisan is the second such step. “GPs are largely made up of farmers and transfer of funds directly to them is a major step,” he said.

This is historic in that after Independence, the government is providing direct aid to villages and that, too, without any middlemen and any formality attached. “The village headmen do not need to apply (for funds) anywhere now and the funds come directly to the (farmers) account and even the amount (that is transferred) is known. This transparent way of functioning is a way to ensure that benefits of Mother India reaches her sons directly,” Rupala said.

PM-Kisan has also helped re-establish trust of farmers on the government that was somewhat waning in the recent past and will definitely help small and marginal farmers, he said. “This initiative of the PM has given farmers the hope that the Union government is now directly connected with their welfare and they don’t have to wait for any intermediaries for the benefit announced to them in the budget to reach them and without delays,” he said.

Rupala, who visited the ongoing Krishi Yantra Mela, said the low-cost dream home model set up on campus of Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology could be the answer to India’s mass housing, especially for the poor. The innovative products made from arecanut by Campco Ltd, a big name in the cooperative sector, too, was refreshing to witness and it was a humbling experience for me to be amidst areca nut growers, he said.

A visit to Mahathobhar Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple and the cleanliness there was a standout feature for Rupala. Admitting what he prayed for before the almighty was a matter of faith, the minister said his prayers were not pertaining to upcoming general elections. “I only pray that Lord’s grace be on all his subjects,” the minister said adding the weapons on Lord Shiva give ‘divine strength’ to the jawans who are tasked with protecting our borders.