BANASKANTHA, October 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that more than Rs 18,000 crore had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of nearly 10 crore farmers across the country under the latest instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.
Addressing a public gathering in Gujarat's Banaskantha district, Modi described farmers as one of the strongest pillars of the country and reiterated the government's commitment to their welfare and empowerment.
The Prime Minister said more than 50 lakh farmers in Gujarat had benefited from the latest instalment, with over Rs 1,000 crore credited to their bank accounts. In Banaskantha alone, nearly Rs 50 crore had reached lakhs of farming families.
"Our farmers, our 'annadatas', are one of the strongest pillars of our country. Our government has always prioritised empowering our farmers," Modi said.
He highlighted the expansion of the agriculture budget, stating that it had increased more than fivefold compared to 2013-14. He added that the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi had become an important source of financial support for millions of small farmers.
According to the Prime Minister, nearly Rs 4.5 lakh crore had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of small farmers through the scheme over the years. He also claimed that farmers had received or saved more than Rs 50 lakh crore through various government initiatives.
Modi further said the government had shielded farmers from the impact of rising international fertiliser prices amid global uncertainties, spending around Rs 16 lakh crore to prevent the additional financial burden from falling on them.
Referring to the large gathering, where attendees were seated on traditional charpais, the Prime Minister praised Banaskantha for preserving the cultural traditions of rural India. He jokingly remarked that the arrangement could even qualify for recognition in the Guinness World Records.
Recalling his early political journey, Modi said his first major public gathering as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 was held in Deesa, Banaskantha, where approximately three lakh people attended a Lok Kalyan Mela.
He said his return to the region was special as he had completed 25 years in public service, adding that Banaskantha was among the first places he visited after reaching the milestone.
During the event, the Prime Minister also highlighted several development initiatives aimed at empowering women, children, farmers and livestock owners.
Earlier, Modi flagged off the Ahmedabad (Sabarmati)-Varanasi Express and Mehsana-Becharaji-Sabarmati MEMU train services. He also conducted a roadshow and visited the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) at Bhildi.
The 127-acre facility focuses on improving the indigenous Kankrej cattle breed through advanced breeding technologies, genetic upgradation and reproductive techniques. It is expected to accelerate breed improvement by 10 to 20 times.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth more than Rs 14,000 crore in the region.
Among the key initiatives are two Bio-CNG plants established by Banas Dairy at Tharad and Radhanpur, with capacities to process 75 metric tonnes and 100 metric tonnes of cattle dung per day, respectively.
Other projects include the expansion of potato processing facilities at Sanadar and the establishment of an Automated Storage and Retrieval System for ultra-high-temperature products at Palanpur.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were also present during the programme.
During his visit to the cattle breeding centre, several women interacted with the Prime Minister and raised slogans of "Modi nahi jayenge" during a group photograph.
