More than 95,000 farmers in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district received a combined ₹19.13 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Monday, 22 June, with beneficiaries expressing relief as the funds arrived at a critical juncture ahead of the paddy sowing season. The disbursement forms part of the scheme's 23rd instalment, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi released nationally on 20 June, crediting ₹18,880 crore directly into the accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers across the country.

How the Funds Were Released

Prime Minister Narendra Modi transferred the 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN on 20 June while attending 'Paschimbanga Divas' (West Bengal Day) celebrations at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district. The direct benefit transfer mechanism ensured that ₹2,000 per eligible farmer was credited without intermediaries, a feature beneficiaries in Dhamtari noted as particularly reliable.

What Farmers in Dhamtari Said

Beneficiaries across Dhamtari described the timing as crucial, with paddy cultivation preparations currently underway and cash demands at their seasonal peak. Nand Yadav, one of the recipients, said, 'I received money from the Samman Nidhi. I will use it to buy seeds and fertilisers. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Modi.' Another farmer, Indresh Ghate, confirmed that the ₹2,000 credited to his account would go directly toward farm inputs. A third beneficiary, Dhalvendra Sahu, noted: 'This scheme is proving to be very useful, especially for small farmers, as the money arrives exactly when it is needed most.'

Why the Timing Matters

Farmers in the region reported facing a money crunch ahead of the kharif sowing cycle, with immediate needs spanning labour wages, seeds, and fertilisers. The lump-sum transfer has provided working capital at a point when informal credit is expensive and seasonal expenses are concentrated. Notably, this is the 23rd consecutive instalment since the scheme's launch in 2019 — an unbroken payout record that beneficiaries cited as a mark of reliability.

Scheme Background and National Reach

The PM-KISAN scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible small and marginal farmers in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each. Since its inception, the programme has disbursed funds to crores of cultivators through direct bank transfers. The 23rd instalment alone covered over 9.44 crore beneficiaries nationally, making it one of the largest single-day agricultural welfare transfers in the country's history. In Dhamtari alone, the ₹19.13 crore outflow underscores the district's significant farming population.

What Comes Next

With the kharif season now in full swing, agricultural officials in Chhattisgarh are expected to monitor utilisation of the funds toward certified inputs. The next instalment cycle is anticipated later in the year, and eligibility updates — including e-KYC compliance — remain a prerequisite for continued benefits under the scheme.