After assuming office for a record-equalling third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed his first official file on Monday, authorising the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme. This decision will benefit 9.3 crore farmers, distributing around Rs 20,000 crores. "Our government is fully committed to Kisan Kalyan. It is fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come," said PM Modi.
Significance of the decision
This action underscored the Modi government's ongoing commitment to farmer welfare following the National Democratic Alliance's recent electoral victory. The decision precedes the first cabinet meeting of Modi 3.0, scheduled for the evening at the Prime Minister's residence.
Swearing-in ceremony
On Sunday, 71 ministers were sworn in as part of PM Modi's new cabinet at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The Prime Minister retained 34 ministers from his previous council, including 19 with Cabinet berths.
Key Cabinet members
Notable ministers who took the oath included Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Nirmala Sitharaman, and S. Jaishankar, reflecting an emphasis on continuity and experience. The expanded cabinet now included 72 members: 30 Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and 36 Ministers of State.
Representation across states and communities
The new cabinet represents 24 states and all regions within states. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have the highest representation with nine and eight ministers, respectively. The cabinet also includes 27 OBC, 10 SC, 5 ST, and 5 minority ministers, highlighting its diverse composition.
Empowering farmers through PM Kisan Nidhi
The release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi is poised to benefit approximately 9.3 crore farmers across the nation, with a total distribution expected to reach around Rs 20,000 crores.
PM Modi's vision for agriculture
Expressing a vision for continuous advancement in the agricultural sector, PM Modi emphasised the government's ongoing efforts and future endeavours aimed at bolstering farmer livelihoods and fostering agricultural growth.
Symbolic gesture of prioritising farmers
By prioritising farmer welfare in its initial executive action, the new government sends a clear message of its steadfast commitment to the well-being and prosperity of farmers, a cornerstone of India's agrarian economy.
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