Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme has given great relief to crores of farmers of the country. This scheme, started in the year 2019, has emerged as a strong means of financial assistance for small and marginal farmers. Under this scheme, the government provides assistance of Rs 6000 annually to the farmers, which is directly transferred to their bank accounts. However, as the popularity of the scheme has increased, many questions have been arising in the minds of people regarding its eligibility.
Especially in rural areas, this question is often asked whether husband and wife in the same family, who have different farms in their names, can both avail the benefits of this scheme? If you are also in this dilemma, then it is very important to understand the rules closely.
Agricultural land is in the name of both husband and wife, so can one get double benefit in the same house? Clear your confusion here
It is often seen that in the same house, there are separate agricultural lands in the names of both husband and wife. In such a situation, many times both the PMs apply for Kisan Samman Nidhi. But the rules of the scheme are very clear in this matter. According to the guidelines of PM Kisan Yojana, the benefits of this scheme are available on the basis of ‘family’ and not on the basis of individual land ownership. That is, even if both husband and wife have land in their names, still only one of them will be entitled to the installment of this scheme. If both apply, it will be considered a violation of the rules.
Just having land is not enough, it is important to know the definition of ‘family’; Know what is the government’s guideline regarding husband, wife and children
Under PM Kisan Yojana, the government has already decided the definition of beneficiary ‘family’. According to this, a family means husband, wife and their minor children. The government considers this entire unit as one beneficiary. Therefore, even if the husband and wife own land in different revenue records, they will be considered part of the same family. Only one member of this family unit can avail the benefit of Rs 6000 annually. The government clearly believes that this assistance amount is to help the livelihood of the family, hence it cannot be given per person.
If both of them have taken the installment even by mistake, then be careful immediately, the government has started the process of recovery, action may be taken.
If in a family both husband and wife have availed the benefit of the scheme due to lack of knowledge of the rules or by deliberately giving wrong information, then it can become a cause of trouble. The Agriculture Ministry has identified lakhs of ineligible beneficiaries who were taking double installments being part of the same family. The government has now become strict on such people. In such cases, recovery of the amount given so far is being done. If a farmer does not return the money voluntarily, he will not only be deprived of future installments but may also have to face a legal notice.
Under what circumstances can more than one person in a household get Samman Nidhi money? This is the rule for adult son
Now the question is, is there any situation when more than one person in the same house can take advantage of this? The answer is ‘yes’, but with conditions. If a son in the family is a major (i.e. he is above 18 years of age) and has separate cultivable land registered in his name in the Revenue Records, then he will be counted as an ‘Independent Family’. In such a situation, he can apply for the scheme in his own name, separate from his parents, and get benefits. But this exemption is not applicable in case of husband and wife.
