Centre Releases 21st PM-KISAN Instalment for Farmers of Flood-Hit Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand

New Delhi, September 27: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday announced the release of the 21st instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, with a special focus on farmers affected by floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. The instalment was released through video conferencing in the presence of state agriculture ministers, MPs, MLAs, and farmer representatives.

More than ₹540 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of over 27 lakh farmers, including nearly 2.7 lakh women farmers, across the three states. Each eligible farmer received ₹2,000 to help meet immediate needs, procure seeds and fertilizers, and prepare for the next sowing cycle.

Chouhan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stand firmly with farmers in times of distress. “Beyond financial assistance, this instalment is a reassurance that no farmer will be left behind in the struggle against natural adversities,” he said.

The release follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to flood-hit regions, where he announced comprehensive relief packages of ₹1,500 crore for Himachal Pradesh, ₹1,600 crore for Punjab, and ₹1,200 crore for Uttarakhand, in addition to ex-gratia support and aid under the PM CARES for Children scheme.

With this release, cumulative disbursements under PM-KISAN to these states have crossed ₹13,626 crore since the scheme’s launch in 2019. State-wise allocations in the latest instalment are: ₹160.21 crore for Himachal Pradesh (8.01 lakh farmers), ₹221.98 crore for Punjab (11.09 lakh farmers), and ₹157.83 crore for Uttarakhand (7.89 lakh farmers).

The government also showcased a short documentary highlighting the hardships faced by farmers and the measures being undertaken to support their recovery.