Govt plans more benefits under PM-KISAN; yearly aid may grow to Rs 8,000

Not just marginal but all farmers to be enrolled; database on cards to track spending

With an eye on coming Assembly elections, the central government is planning to expand its flagship programme, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN). It feels the scheme has helped assuage farmers’ anger over falling prices. 

Officials said special attention was being paid to enrol farmers in Maharashtra and Haryana where elections are due in a few months. Both states have Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments.

Farmers can directly call the PM-KISAN helpline for registration. “We are talking with district officials, patwaris and lekhpals (local officials who maintain record of farm land and crop production) directly from New Delhi to ensure