Government to hire pro team to monitor KISAN scheme

NEW DELHI: The government is planning to hire senior professionals and support staff to monitor and implement PM KISAN scheme in which BJP-ruled states have taken the lead, sending names of small and marginal farmers eligible to receive Rs 6,000 annually in three equal instalments.

“Initially, we are going to hire six professionals, who can deal with data analytics, ground monitoring and supervision of the implementation. Since, the scheme is a continuous year-long programme, it will need trained professionals and experts to deliver the results,” said a senior agriculture department official, who is dealing with PM KISAN scheme.

The scheme is being monitored by a project monitoring unit (PMU) at the centre led by a joint secretary Vivek Agrawal, designated as the chief executive officer. The states and union territories may also set up a dedicated PMU for the effective implementation of this scheme.


“The centre can transfer 0.25% of the amount earmarked for the first instalment and 0.125% for the subsequent instalments to state governments to cover the expenditure of PMUs, if established, and for meeting other related administrative expenses including cost incurred on stationery, field verification, certifications and data uploading,” the official said.

The government so far has received data of 47.6 million eligible beneficiaries. First level validation of 40 million beneficiaries has been completed and payment of first installment of Rs 2,000 each has been made to around 27.6 million farmers.

ET had reported that the department has sought Election Commission’s views about the implementation of the scheme during the period when election code of conduct is on.