New Delhi: The Centre has started a new scheme - Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana - One Nation One Fertiliser - under which it is mandatory for companies to market all subsidised fertilisers under single brand 'Bharat'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the single brand Bharat under the scheme during the two-day event PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 being held here. This is being done to prevent criss-cross movement of fertilisers and reduce high freight subsidy.
All subsidised soil nutrients - urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), Muriate of Potash (MoP) and NPK - will be marketed under the single brand Bharat across the nation. Modi also inaugurated 600 PM Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) that will act as a one-stop-shop for farmers who can buy products and avail multiple services related to the agriculture sector.
The Centre intends to convert more than 3.3 lakh fertiliser retail shops in the country into PM-KSK in a phased manner. The PM-KSK will supply agri-inputs like seeds, fertilisers and farm implements. It will also provide testing facilities for soil, seeds and fertilisers. Information about government schemes will also be provided.
During the event, the prime minister also launched ‘Indian Edge’, an e-magazine on fertilisers. It will provide information on domestic and international fertiliser scenarios, including recent developments, price trends analysis, availability and consumption, among others. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were also present at the programme.
Narendra Modi also released the 12th instalment of financial benefit worth Rs 16,000 crore to over 11 crore eligible farmers under the flagship PM-KISAN scheme, ahead of Diwali and ongoing rabi sowing in the event. With this, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries is expected to cross Rs 2.16 lakh crore. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each every four months. The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
The scheme was launched in February 2019 but is being implemented with effect from December 2018. The Prime Minister released the 12th instalment at a two-day event "PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022" being held at the Pusa campus in the national capital. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Chemicals & Fertilisers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were also present at the programme.
More than 13,500 farmers from across the country and around 1,500 Agri-startups are participating in the event. Researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders too are attending the event. PM-KISAN is a central sector scheme with 100 per cent funding from the central government. The state government and UT administration identify the farmer families that are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines. (PTI)
