‘Fund released for farmers was due month ago’

Congress argued that Modi’s announcement, hailed as his first major decision in his third term, merely fulfilled an existing obligation under government policy…reports Asian lite News

The Congress party criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming credit over the release of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi fund, asserting it was a delayed entitlement owed to farmers.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasised that the 17th instalment of the fund, amounting to nearly Rs 20,000 crore and benefiting around 9.3 crore farmers, was due a month earlier but postponed due to the poll code.

Ramesh argued that Modi’s announcement, hailed as his first major decision in his third term, merely fulfilled an existing obligation under government policy.

He urged Modi to provide more substantial support to farmers by legally guaranteeing the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, waiving farm loans, and ensuring insurance payments are made directly into farmers’ bank accounts.

Upon assuming office, Modi emphasized his government’s commitment to “kisan kalyan (farmers’ welfare)” and framed the fund release as a testament to this pledge.

However, Ramesh accused the prime minister of staging a “great show” by signing the release document, stating it was a routine administrative action portrayed as a significant favor.

Ramesh criticised the timing of the fund’s release, suggesting it was strategically delayed for electoral benefit and due to the Model Code of Conduct.

He also proposed five measures for genuine farmer welfare: granting legal MSP status based on the Swaminathan Commission’s formula, implementing a farm loan waiver with a Permanent Commission, ensuring insurance payments within 30 days of crop loss, consulting farmers for a new import-export policy, and eliminating GST on essential farming inputs.

Modi signs first file for farmers’ welfare

PM Narendra Modi on Monday took charge as the Prime Minister and signed his first file for the welfare of the farmers.

He arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office at South Block to a rousing welcome by the staff. The PMO staff had lined up at the entrance and corridor leading up to the PM’s office.

PM Modi acknowledged with a humble ‘namaste’ and thanked them all the way.

After being sworn in as Prime Minister for the third time, PM Narendra Modi signed his first file authorising the release of the 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi.

This will benefit 9.3 crore farmers with a total distribution expected to reach around Rs 20,000 crore.

After signing the file, PM Modi said “Ours is a Government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.”

PM Modi assumed office for the third consecutive time.

Now all eyes are on the portfolio distribution.

The first Cabinet meeting of new ministers is likely to be held later in the day, said sources.

The new Cabinet includes 30 Cabinet Ministers, five Ministers of State with Independent Charge, and 36 Ministers of State.

On Sunday evening, PM Modi took the oath of office along with 71 ministers in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to the PM and other ministers.

After taking oath PM Modi posted on X that he looks forward to serving 140 crore Indians and working with the Council of Ministers to take India to new heights of progress.

He also said,”…This team of Ministers is a great blend of youth and experience, and we will leave no stone unturned in improving the lives of people…”

Cabinet gives nod to build 3 crore houses for poor

 The first Cabinet meeting of the new NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday approved a proposal to provide assistance to 3 crore additional rural and urban households for construction of houses. 

The decision has been taken to meet the housing requirements arising out of the increase in the number of eligible families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The PM Modi-led government has been implementing the PMAY scheme since 2015-16 to provide assistance to eligible rural and urban households for the construction of houses with basic amenities.

Under PMAY, a total of 4.21 crore houses have been completed for the poor families eligible under the housing scheme since 2015-16.

All the houses constructed under PMAY are also provided with basic amenities such as toilets, LPG connection, electricity connection, functional household water connection, etc., through convergence with other schemes of the Central government and state governments.

Prime Minister Modi, who took oath as the head of a coalition government, held the first Cabinet meeting of the new regime at his residence in Delhi on Monday.

On the agenda was advising the President to formulate the 18th Lok Sabha, among others.

On Monday morning, PM Modi signed his first file to authorise the release of Rs 20,000 crore as the 17th instalment of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme to benefit 9.3 crore farmers.

After signing the file, PM Modi said, “Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come.”

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