PM Kisan scheme not suspended, say officials

Referring to reports in a section of press about the scheme being paused due to the scam, officials said Rs.42 crore was recovered and recovery of a similar amount was anticipated. Authentic farmers would get the next instalment of Rs 2000 in their savings bank accounts in December, the officials said.

Officials said the recovered money was being resourced back to the Indian government’s account and that the “Centre was pleasantly surprised at the speed with which the funds were recovered.” However, in a bid to ensure safety for genuine farmers, applications would henceforth be perused at the state level after they were recommended by the district collectors. Welcoming the move, TN Farmers Association Integrated Vellore district president K Raja said, “cross-checking by revenue staff would ensure safety for both the money lender and receiver.”

Peasant leader Palar AC Venketesan said, “No farmer voluntarily asked to join the scheme and it was the middlemen who created bogus data to siphon off money.”