Bokaro admin to recover Rs 32.04L in PM Kisan aid from 451 ineligible farmers

Bokaro: The state government has directed the Bokaro administration to recover Rs 32.04 lakh from 451 farmers in the district who have been provided financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) Yojana after the government recently found out that they pay income tax, making them ineligible for the central scheme. The farmers were included in the scheme on different dates since its launch in the state in 2018.
Under the PM Kisan scheme, every year an income support of Rs 6,000 is provided to small and marginal farmers in three instalments. The state government identifies the farmers for the scheme and accordingly, money is transferred to their bank accounts.
Around 55,000 farmers in the district have received financial assistance so far, out of which 451 have been found ineligible. Among the ineligible farmers are some retired government employees who have taken up farming. The administration has directed the authorities to recover Rs 32.04 lakh given to the 451 ineligible farmers in 1602 instalments.
Bokaro additional collector Sahdat Anwar said, “We have directed all the circle officers to recover money from these farmers. We have also asked the state government under which head the recovered amount should be deposited.”
The ineligible farmers’ data was provided by the district agriculture department. Of the eight blocks in the district, the highest 83 ineligible farmers belong to Chas block, while Bermo has five, the lowest. These apart, Kasmar block (74), Chandankyari (65), Chandrapura (36), Nawadih (45), Gomia (55), Jaridih (44) and Petarwar (44) make up the numbers.