Jaipur, Aug 2 (NationPress) On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi during a ceremony in Varanasi. Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), he allocated over Rs 20,500 crore to the bank accounts of more than 9.7 crore farmers nationwide.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, speaking at a state-level recognition event in Banswara, noted that under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Modi, a new chapter of farmer support and rural progress is emerging.

The 20th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi has been directly deposited into the bank accounts of over 76 lakh farmers in Rajasthan, totaling Rs 1,600 crore.

CM Sharma emphasized the transformative impact of the PM-Kisan Yojana on the lives of small and marginal farmers, highlighting that fertilizer subsidies amounting to crores have provided substantial relief.

More than 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been established. Initiatives such as e-NAM for online agricultural trade, a minimum support price (MSP) with a 50% profit margin over costs, and the expansion of the PM Crop Insurance Scheme have empowered farmers, he stated.

Recently, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the state’s Kisan Samman Nidhi to Rs 9,000, which will soon rise to Rs 12,000. So far, Rs 6,800 crore has been distributed to over 76 lakh farmers.

For 2025-26, Rs 25,000 crore in interest-free short-term crop loans will benefit 35 lakh farmers, while Rs 400 crore in long-term loans is being provided with a 5% interest subsidy.

Approximately 32 lakh metric tonnes of wheat have been procured at MSP, with wheat bonuses totaling Rs 450 crore distributed.

CM Sharma mentioned that under the PM Kusum Yojana, farmers have benefited from the generation of 1,500 MW of solar energy.

Efforts to provide daytime electricity have reached 22 districts. Additionally, Rs 12,000 crore worth of work orders have been issued under the Ram Jal Setu Link Project.

A longstanding water issue has been resolved through the Yamuna Water Agreement with Haryana.

The Chief Minister underscored PM Modi's dedication to tribal welfare through initiatives like Dharti Aaba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and the PM Janman Abhiyan, launched on Tribal Pride Day.

These programs aim to secure basic amenities in tribal-dominated villages, and CM Sharma announced an increase in the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) fund from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 1,500 crore.

Approval has been granted for seven new ashram hostels, three residential schools, and 250 Maa-Badi centers, with honorariums for teachers and cooks at Maa-Badi centers raised by 10%.

Forest produce from tribal communities is now being marketed through 530 Van Dhan centers.

Sites such as Mangarh Dham, Dungar Baranda (Dungarpur), Bansia Charpota (Banswara), and the Veer Balika Kalibai Museum (Udaipur) are being developed to honor tribal history.

CM Sharma shared that 17.37 lakh pucca houses have been constructed under the PM Awas Yojana–Gramin in Rajasthan, with an additional Rs 8,544 crore approved for 7.12 lakh new homes. He emphasized that tribal and farming communities are crucial to the vision of a prosperous Rajasthan by 2047.

The Tribal Area Development and District In-Charge Minister, Babu Lal Kharari, acknowledged the role of Jan Dhan accounts in efficiently delivering benefits. He announced a maize processing unit for tribal regions and highlighted the Kalibai Museum as a cultural landmark.

Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat stressed livestock welfare through schemes like the Gopal Credit Card and the Mukhyamantri Mangala Pashu scheme, under the guidance of PM Modi and CM Sharma.