Farmers of West Bengal will benefit from this scheme for the first time

The 8th instalment of financial benefit of Rs 2,06,67,75,66,000 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme has been released to 9,50,67,601 (over 9.5 crore or 95 million) beneficiary farmers.

The instalment was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing on Friday.

For the first time, the farmers of West Bengal would be getting the benefit of this scheme.

During the event, Prime Minister Modi also interacted with beneficiaries of the PM-KISAN scheme and highlighted the efforts being made by several individuals to promote farming across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the farmers who have made record produce in food grains and horticulture amidst the difficulties during this pandemic.

The government was also setting new records in procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) every year, he said,. pointing out that paddy procurement at MSP had set new records. Now, wheat procurement at MSP was also setting new records, the Prime Minister noted.

He added that so far this year, about 10 percent more wheat had been procured at MSP compared to last year. What's more, about Rs. 58,000 crores for wheat procurement had reached the farmers' account directly, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister remarked that the Government was constantly trying to provide new solutions and new options in farming.

One such effort was promoting organic farming, which delivers more profit and is now being practiced across the nation by young farmers. PM Modi pointed out that organic farming was now being practised on both banks of Ganga and within a radius of about 5 kilometers, so that the Ganga remains clean.

Prime Minister stressed that during this Covid-19 pandemic, Kisan Credit Card’s deadline has been extended and instalments can now be renewed by 30 June. He said more than 2 crore Kisan Credit Cards have been issued in recent years.

He described Covid-19 as a "once in a century pandemic" which was challenging the world and "an invisible enemy in front of us". He pointed out that the government was fighting Covid-19 with all its might and ensuring that every government department was working day & night to ease the pain of the nation.

Prime Minister remarked that Central Government and all the State Governments together, were making continuous efforts to enable more and more countrymen to get vaccinated at a rapid pace.

He urged everyone to register for the vaccine when their turn comes and ensure covid appropriate behaviour at all times. He added that this vaccine is an important means of protection against corona and will reduce the risk of serious illness.

Prime Minister Modi said the country's armed forces were working with full strength to ensure oxygen supply in these tough times. Railways are also running oxygen express trains.

He added that the pharma sector of the country was manufacturing and delivering medicines at a large scale. He requested the State Governments to ensure strict laws to counter black marketing of medicines and medical supplies.

The Prime Minister also remarked that India "is not a nation that loses hope in tough times"; he expressed the hope that this challenge would be overcome with strength & dedication.

He, however, warned about the spread of Covid-19 in rural areas as well and urged the village panchayats to ensure proper awareness and sanitation in their respective areas.