Rs 1,364 crore paid to over 20 lakh undeserving beneficiaries under PM-KISAN: RTI data

The Governing administration has paid Rs 1,364 crore to 20.48 lakh undeserving beneficiaries beneath its ambitious PM-KISAN plan, a reply to a Appropriate to Information and facts (RTI) query by the Union Agriculture Ministry reveals.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sammann Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was launched by the Centre in 2019 and beneath the plan, an cash flow aid of Rs six,000 for each yr in three equal installments is paid to tiny and marginal farmer families owning put together land keeping or ownership of up to two hectares.

The Union Agriculture Ministry, in response to the RTI application, recognized two categories of undeserving beneficiaries who been given PM-KISAN payouts as “ineligible farmers” and “cash flow tax payee farmers”.

RTI applicant Venkatesh Nayak of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) who been given the details from the federal government reported, “Much more than 50 percent (55.fifty eight for each cent) of these undeserving persons belong to the ‘income tax payee category’.” “The remaining forty four.forty one for each cent belong to the ‘ineligible farmers’ category’,” he added.

Nayak reported, in accordance to media studies, proceedings have been initiated to recuperate these resources transferred to undeserving persons.

He reported details acquired beneath RTI Act, 2005, indicated that due to the fact the graduation of the PM-KISAN Yojana in 2019, Rs 1,364.thirteen crore ($186.59 million) has been paid to ‘ineligible persons’ and ‘income tax payee farmers’ until July 31, 2020.

“Government’s possess details suggests revenue went into the improper hands,” he added.

A main chunk of these ineligible beneficiaries belongs to five states — Punjab, Assam, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, as for each the details.

“Punjab tops the record accounting for 23.sixteen for each cent (four.74 lakh) of the total range of undeserving persons throughout the region who been given payouts, adopted by Assam with sixteen.87 for each cent (three.forty five lakh beneficiaries) and Maharashtra with thirteen.99 for each cent (two.86 lakh beneficiaries). These three states account for extra than 50 percent (54.03 for each cent) of the range of undeserving persons who been given payouts,” Nayak reported Gujarat is at the fourth situation with eight.05 for each cent (1.64 lakh beneficiaries), adopted by Uttar Pradesh at fifth situation with eight.01 for each cent (1.64 lakh beneficiaries), he reported.

Sikkim with just a single undeserving beneficiary documented the least expensive figure, Nayak reported.

“The total volume of Rs 1,364.thirteen crore was paid to recipients throughout the states in sixty eight.20 lakh installments (where each and every installment of Rs two,000 paid out for each recipient is counted independently). Out of this, 49.25 lakh installments were being paid to ‘IT payee farmers’ while eighteen.ninety five lakh installments were being paid to ‘ineligible farmers’ throughout the region,” he reported quoting the RTI details.

Under the plan, an volume of Rs six,000 for each yr is transferred in three installments of Rs two,000 every 4 months right into the lender accounts of the farmers, subject to specified exclusion criteria relating to larger cash flow status, a PIB assertion experienced reported.

The plan was formally launched on February 24, 2019, by Primary Minister Narendra Modi at a grand perform in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Various categories of farmers are excluded from the plan like institutional landholders farmer families in which a single or extra members is amongst beneficiaries — previous and current holders of constitutional posts previous and current ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, mayors and chairmen of district panchayat serving and retired federal government personnel pensioners obtaining around Rs 10,000 month-to-month pension cash flow tax payees and industry experts these as medical doctors, engineers, chartered accountants and architects and so forth.