A 65-year-old farmer in Maharashtra's Bhandara district was left perplexed after receiving a message from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme indicating that just one paisa had been credited to her bank account, instead of the expected Rs 2,000 installment. The Agriculture Department later clarified that the message was triggered by a technical error and that the correct amount had been processed successfully.
Family Alarmed by Unusual SMS
Khemraj Girepunje, son of beneficiary Lakshmibai from Jevanala village, told news channels on Monday that the family was shocked when his mother received the SMS stating Rs 0.01 had been deposited as a PM-Kisan installment. He emphasized the urgency of the funds, as the family needed the money to purchase seeds and fertilizers for the upcoming kharif sowing season.
Official Clarification on Technical Glitch
Bhandara district agriculture officer Sangita Mane confirmed that the SMS was sent due to a technical glitch. According to official records, the farmer's bank account had already been credited with the full Rs 2,000 installment under the scheme. Mane assured that the error was limited to the messaging system and did not affect the actual disbursement.
PM-Kisan Scheme Background
The PM-Kisan scheme provides income support of Rs 6,000 per year to eligible farmer families, paid in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 every four months. The scheme aims to supplement farmers' financial needs for agricultural inputs. Technical glitches in SMS notifications, while rare, have occurred previously and are typically resolved promptly.
Impact on Farmer Confidence
Such incidents can cause temporary distress among beneficiaries, especially those relying on timely payments for critical farming activities. However, the swift clarification by officials helped allay concerns. The Girepunje family confirmed that they later verified the bank balance and found the correct amount had been credited.
