PM to release ₹18,000 crore to farmers under scheme

Amidst farmer protests in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release over Rs 18,000 crore to more than 9 crore farmers under the ‘PM Kisan Scheme’. The amount will be released with a push of a button through video conference on 25 December which is also the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, one of the former stalwarts of BJP. According to reports, Modi will interact with farmers from six different states of India.

Under the scheme, a financial benefit of ₹6,000 per year will be provided to small and marginal farmers, payable in three equal installments of ₹ 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

Tens and thousands of farmers have currently gathered at the national capital in Delhi to protest against the central government’s three farm laws. Though many rounds of talks happened, farmers insist on the laws being scrapped meanwhile government wants them to be amended. Some farmers died and many others are undergoing health conditions since they are sleeping outdoors braving the extreme cold weather of Delhi.