Centre Extends Urgent Support to Flood-Hit J&K Farmers Under PM-KISAN

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the advance release of the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, disbursing Rs 171 crore to 8.55 lakh farmers in flood and landslide-ravaged Jammu & Kashmir. The funds, transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts, aim to provide immediate financial support to those grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters in the region.

The PM-KISAN scheme, a flagship initiative of the central government, provides Rs 6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal instalments. This latest disbursement, facilitated through a video conference from Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi, includes support for 85,418 women farmers. To date, Jammu & Kashmir farmers have received a total of Rs 4,052 crore under the scheme, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to their welfare.

Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan reaffirmed the government’s solidarity with the affected farmers. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we stand firmly with the farmers and people of Jammu & Kashmir during this crisis. This instalment is a vital step to help them meet urgent needs,” he said, emphasizing the Centre’s resolve to ensure no farmer is left unsupported.

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Beyond PM-KISAN, the central government has rolled out additional measures to aid recovery. The Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned Rs 85.62 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Gramin) to rebuild approximately 5,100 damaged homes, as reported by the Jammu & Kashmir government. This package includes funds for toilet construction and supplementary support under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), enabling affected families to reconstruct their lives.

Chouhan also announced plans to increase MGNREGA workdays from 100 to 150 for impacted households, pending a formal proposal from the Jammu & Kashmir government. This extension aims to provide additional income opportunities to families hit hard by the floods. Furthermore, the Centre has committed to supplying seeds, fertilizers, and other critical agricultural inputs to help farmers resume cultivation.

The Jammu & Kashmir government’s ‘Jiska kheth, uski reth’ (the sand belongs to the one who owns the field) policy has been greenlit, allowing farmers to sell sand from their fields, boosting local income sources. Additional funds under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) may also be released based on the state’s requests.

For insured farmers, compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is in the pipeline, with disbursements expected once the Jammu & Kashmir government submits its proposal. These combined efforts reflect the Centre’s multi-pronged approach to support the region’s recovery, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation for flood-affected farmers.

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