New Delhi: The Centre has reported irregularities in the implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme in Manipur, as highlighted in an audit by the Accountant General (AG).
In response, the state government has lodged an FIR to address the issue, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
According to the minister, states and Union Territories are responsible for recovering any funds disbursed to ineligible farmers.
“As per information from the Government of Manipur, the AG Audit Report flagged certain irregularities, leading the state to file an FIR,” Thakur stated in his written reply.
Launched in February 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme provides Rs. 6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal instalments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Since its inception, the Centre has disbursed over Rs. 3.68 lakh crore across 19 instalments.
The scheme initially operated on a trust-based registration system, with states enrolling beneficiaries through self-certification.
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While Aadhaar-seeding was initially relaxed for some states, the government later introduced stricter technological measures, making land seeding, Aadhaar-based payments, and e-KYC mandatory.
“The benefits for farmers who have not met these criteria were halted. Once they complete the required processes, they will receive pending instalments,” Thakur added.
So far, Rs. 416 crore has been recovered from ineligible beneficiaries nationwide.
