Centre makes adjustment for PMKS implementation in Nagaland

Dimpaur, July 5 (EMN): The Union Ministry of Agriculture has accepted Nagaland government’s proposal to implement the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PMKS), a farmer’s welfare scheme, in accordance with the unique landholding system of the Nagas.

This was announced by Press Secretary to Nagaland Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation G Kaito Aye in a press release on Friday.

Aye tabled the proposal in a meeting chaired by the Union Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, in June 2.

Owing to the landholding system practiced in Nagaland, where land is largely owned by the community/clan/khel or chieftains (in the case of some tribes), the minister proposed that all the beneficiaries – individual farmers – of the PM-KISAN scheme in the state, maybe certified by respective villages’ councils or by village chiefs in particular cases, duly verified by the administrative head of the Block/Division/District and countersigned by the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts.

The members present in the meeting accepted the proposal after a long deliberation, informed the update.

The minister was accompanied by Additional Secretary of Agriculture Temsunaro Aier and State Nodal Officer for the PM-KISAN scheme, Letkholal Hangshing. The meeting was also attended by representatives of GoI, including secretary agriculture, secretary DoNER, and secretary land resources.

It may be mentioned that the PM-KISAN scheme was launched by the central government with an objective to supplement the financial needs of the farmers. Under the scheme, small and marginal farmer families having combined landholding/ownership of up to 2 hectares are given income support of INR 6000 per year in three equal instalments.