Modi government continuously practices promoting the interest of farmers. It will have direct connectivity with them by June 2020 using a massive data bank. Government continues to grow the data bank of farmers to promote Digital India.
Efforts to Connect
The government is taking steps to have direct connectivity with around 11.5 crore farmers and their families. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi which aims to provide Rs 6000 annually to every farmer inspires this project. The huge data collected will be published by the middle of the next year. The government has already collected data of 7.20 crore farmers. The prime minister’s office declared that the top-level committee is making every effort to finish the project in time. Union Agriculture Secretary, Sanjay Agarwal, leads this team consisting of Information and Technology ministry and its National e-governance division wing. Moreover, J Satyanarayana, former IT secretary and the executor of the Adhaar card scheme with several IT experts are working for the success of this program.
To ensure that the money reaches the right person, the Public Fund Management System scrutinizes the data. In one year, a total of Rs 33000 crore have been transferred to farmers accounts.
Benefits
The data collected combined with technology would enable the farmers to get market information, soil testing details, satellite imagery, land records digitization, and even flood alerts. It will empower the small and marginal farmers to carry out the farm practice with knowledge and dignity.
Opposition
Delhi and West Bengal opposed this scheme. However, Delhi agreed and joined hands with the Central government for its implementation. West Bengal’s CM, Mamta Banerjee is of the view that this action is only for the vote bank of poor farmers. Therefore, she did not support this scheme. BJP considered this ‘narrow mindedness’ as a hindrance to the development of farmers. At present, 70 lakh marginal farmers are fighting to get financial assistance as others in the country.
The government constantly tries to develop farmers of the country. In addition, government assures a significant flow of funds to farmers and helping them increase their income.