India is not a nation that loses hope in tough times: PM Modi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 8th installment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme today via video conferencing. This enabled the transfer of more than Rs. 19,000 crores to more than 9.5 crores beneficiary farmer families. Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar was also present on the occasion
After releasing the fund, the Prime Minister also interacted with farmer-beneficiaries. PM Modi held an interaction with farmers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Andaman & Nicobar on the occasion.

During his address, the Prime Minister praised the efforts of the farmers who have set records amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, “In these challenging times, farmers have made records in agriculture and the government is also setting new records on procurement on MSP every year.”

PM added that, “So far this year, about 10% more wheat has been purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP) as compared to last year”.

PM Modi also spoke about the ongoing Covid-19 second wave. He cautioned people living in villages against Covid-19, which is rapidly spreading in rural areas. PM Modi appealed to the people to wear masks properly and get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Lauding the Armed Forces for their services being rendered during this pandemic, the Prime Minister said that the government is dedicated to making COVID hospitals and COVID care centres, and oxygen plants are being set up with the latest technology. Armed forces are working with full strength to ensure oxygen supply in these tough times.

On the world’s largest vaccination drive, the PM said that both Centre and State Governments on all levels are making efforts to vaccinate their citizens. “About 18 crore vaccine doses have been given so far,” he said. He also asked states to take appropriate action against those involved in black-marketing of medicines and essential supplies.

About PM-KISAN

The scheme was launched in February 2019. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs. 6,000/- per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary( farmer families), the amount is payable in three equal 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/- each. The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs. 1.15 lakh crores have been transferred to farmer families so far.