AI Chatbot for PM KISAN Scheme

Context- The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has launched an AI chatbot for the PM-KISAN program, which is the first of its kind integrated in a major central government project.

Key Highlights 

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare has launched an AI chatbot for the PM-KISAN program, which is the first of its kind  integrated in a major central government project. 
• The implementation of AI chatbot in PM-KISAN Grievance Management System is designed to provide a user-friendly and easy-to-use platform to farmers. 
• In the early stages of  development, the AI ​​​​Chatbot helps farmers search for information about their application status, payment information, eligibility status and other system-related updates.  
• The chatbot is currently available in English, Hindi, Bengali, Odia and Tamil and will soon be available in all 22 official languages ​​of the country.  central government system —  PM-KISAN Scheme. 

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): 

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana came into effect on December 1, 2018.  
• Under the scheme, all eligible farm families will get Rs 6,000 annually in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each. every four months. 
• A fund of Rs 2,000 will be transferred directly  to the bank accounts of the eligible farmers/family of farmers under direct grant transfer mode. 
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare 

Objective of PM-KISAN: 

• To supplement the economic needs of all landowning families by acquiring a variety of production inputs to ensure proper crop health and yield for both expected farm income and household needs.  

Definition of a Farmer’s Family: 

• A land owning farmer’s family is defined as “a family consisting of a spouse and minor children” that owns cultivable land as per the land records of the respective state/UT. 
• The entire family identification process is done in the state/university administrations. 

Pattern of Funding:

• It is a central sector scheme funded 100% by the central government. 

Who is eligible for the PM Kisan program? 

• The families of landowners, in whose name the farm is, 
• Farmers from both  urban and rural areas, 
• Families of small and marginal farmers. 

Who is Not Eligible for the Scheme? 

• Institutional landowner, 
• current or retired civil servants and  state/central government employees and PSUs and state autonomous bodies, 
• Beneficiaries with higher financial status are not eligible, 
• Those who pay income tax 
• Farm families with constitutional duties, 
• Professionals such as doctors, engineers and lawyers, 
• Old pensioners whose monthly pension is more than 10,000 rubles. 

PM-KISAN Scheme Performance/Achievements: 

• The scheme provides livelihood support to farmers in India by helping them acquire various inputs related to agriculture and allied activities and household needs. 
• Government is trying to reach and transfer benefits to all eligible farm families through this scheme. 
• This is one of the best examples of good governance.  
• More than 11 million farmers have availed the scheme and Rs 2.42  crore have been credited to their accounts. 
• That makes it the largest DBT system in the country. 
• The beneficiary registration process  has been made simple and easy with the mobile application – PM KISAN portal.  
• The scheme also has a complaint handling and advisory service.
• Through this initiative, more than 13.5 million complaints were handled by the relevant government agencies.
• The scheme has a significant effect in alleviating liquidity constraints, as a large proportion of farmers are limited in access to formal credit. 
• Although the scheme is considered a general cash transfer system for farmers, its role in introducing modern technology remains an important component of agricultural modernization, increasing productive investment by farmers.

Syllabus: Indian Express

Practice question:

1. Write a short note on pros and cons of the Direct Benefit Transfer schemes by the government of India.

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