Hooghly/Raisen/Bhopal/New Delhi  Under the nationwide programme for the release of the 23rd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi transferred more than ₹18,880 crore directly into the bank accounts of over 9.44 crore farmers from Tarakeswar in Hooghly district of West Bengal, providing another major financial support to the country's food producers. During the program, the Prime Minister also launched the implementation of several key agriculture initiatives in West Bengal, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, AgriStack, the National Mission on Natural Farming and the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, which are expected to strengthen income security, promote natural farming, accelerate digital agriculture and boost holistic rural development. Virtually joining the program from the Jan Kalyan Shivir held at Badi in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced approval for 31 new rural roads, formal approval for moong procurement, assured pucca houses for every eligible family under PMAY, reiterated the commitment towards women's empowerment through the Ladli Behna and Lakhpati Didi initiatives, and unveiled a comprehensive contingency plan to safeguard farmers' interests in view of possible drought conditions.

Prime Minister's Program and New Agriculture Initiatives

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the 23rd installment of PM-KISAN from Tarakeswar, West Bengal, under which more than ₹18,880 crore was transferred directly to farmers across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer. More than 45 lakh farmers in West Bengal alone will receive assistance exceeding ₹900 crore under this installment. Since the launch of PM-KISAN in 2019, cumulative assistance exceeding ₹4.46 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers nationwide. From the same platform, the Prime Minister launched the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and the Restructured Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme in West Bengal. For 2026-27, the target is to provide crop insurance protection worth more than ₹28,140 crore to nearly 50 lakh farmers covering around 14 lakh hectares. He also launched the digital agriculture platform through AgriStack, initiated 346 natural farming clusters covering 17,300 hectares under the National Mission on Natural Farming, and introduced interventions under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana in Purulia, Darjeeling, Alipurduar and Jhargram districts to strengthen irrigation facilities, crop diversification, post-harvest infrastructure and access to institutional credit. Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Fraserganj Fishing Harbour and the modern fish market at Sainthia, launched eastern India's first goat semen production laboratory at Haringhata, and dedicated railway projects worth over ₹590 crore along with 49 PMGSY-III rural roads spanning more than 315 kilometres, laying out a major development roadmap for West Bengal and eastern India.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Address from Badi Jan Kalyan Shivir in Raisen

Addressing farmers, women and youth during the state-level program linked virtually with the Prime Minister's event, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that PM-KISAN represents not merely financial assistance but also the dignity and self-respect of farmers. He recalled that while the Central Government provides ₹6,000 annually under PM-KISAN, the Government of Madhya Pradesh contributes an equal amount, ensuring annual direct assistance of ₹12,000 to farmers in the state. Shri Chouhan said that the Jan Kalyan Shivir would not remain limited to speeches and that every application received during the camp would be acted upon in a time-bound manner to ensure benefits reach eligible beneficiaries, thereby translating the ideals of good governance into reality. He assured that all welfare schemes of the Central and State Governments—including Kisan Credit Cards, crop insurance and various pension and social security programs—would reach every eligible beneficiary without exception.

Major Push for Rural Infrastructure

Shri Chouhan announced approval for 31 new roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for the Bhojpur region, stating that the projects would connect smaller villages and hamlets with major roads and improve access to education, healthcare and markets. Describing roads as companions of prosperity, he said the Central Government is continuously strengthening rural connectivity through PMGSY and other infrastructure projects. Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he said that out of more than 1.36 lakh houses sanctioned in Raisen district, over 1.08 lakh houses have already been completed. He further informed that physical verification of 1.37 lakh kutcha houses identified in the recent survey would be undertaken to ensure that every eligible family receives a permanent home. Appealing to Sarpanch and public representatives, Shri Chouhan urged them to conduct village meetings and decide local priorities for utilizing Madhya Pradesh's share of ₹7,500 crore available for nine months under the Viksit Bharat GRAMG Yojana, enabling development of roads, drainage systems, community buildings, drinking water facilities and other essential infrastructure according to local needs. He stated that the Viksit Bharat GRAMG Yojana envisages investments exceeding ₹75 lakh crore across the country over the next five years, creating a roadmap for completing almost all pending development works at the village level. He requested district administrations to organize detailed workshops for sarpanches so that implementation could begin immediately.

Protecting Farmers' Interests: Moong Procurement, Insurance and Drought Preparedness

Shri Chouhan announced that the Madhya Pradesh Government had sought permission from the Centre for moong procurement and that formal approval was being granted from the land of Badi itself, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers. Describing moong as the state's third major crop, he said it has transformed the economic condition of many farming families and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring full value for every drop of farmers' sweat through transparent procurement at MSP. The Union Agriculture Minister appealed for accelerated enrolment under the Kisan Credit Card campaign and wider coverage under crop insurance schemes to protect farmers from natural disasters and market fluctuations. Referring to meteorological forecasts, he said that due to the impact of El Niño, some districts may receive below-normal rainfall this year. Accordingly, state-wise contingency plans are being prepared to provide scientific guidance regarding crop selection, seeds, moisture conservation and water management so that production and farm incomes remain protected even under deficient rainfall conditions.

Women's Empowerment through Ladli Behna and Lakhpati Didi

Highlighting women's empowerment, Shri Chouhan described the Ladli Behna Yojana as a model for the entire country. He said women in Madhya Pradesh are currently receiving ₹1,500 per month under the scheme, with a long-term target of increasing the amount to ₹3,000 to ensure dignified economic self-reliance. He reiterated the commitment to make every woman a "Lakhpati Didi" through the National Rural Livelihood Mission and Self-Help Groups. All poor women not yet associated with SHGs would be linked with groups and provided training, bank linkage, credit support and marketing assistance to help them achieve annual incomes of at least ₹1 lakh.

Focus on Youth, Poor Families and Social Reforms

Shri Chouhan announced that the 'Mama Coaching Classes' initiative launched in Vidisha for students would also be introduced in Raisen, followed by the establishment of Career Counselling Centres to provide free preparation for competitive examinations, promote self-employment and impart skills aligned with industry requirements. He said specialised courses would be introduced in collaboration with industry associations to create skilled manpower and generate better employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth. The Union Minister also referred to battery-operated motorised tricycles for persons with disabilities, special health camps for serious ailments such as cancer, and medical screening and treatment support being provided by specialists from Tata Cancer Hospital, stating that service to people remains the true meaning of politics for him. He called for a joint campaign involving district administrations and society against drug abuse, illegal liquor and narcotics trade, emphasizing the formation of village-level committees for awareness generation, grievance redressal and strict legal action. Supporting the Prime Minister's vision of 'One Nation, One Election', Shri Chouhan appealed to citizens to stand behind this important reform so that development-oriented politics can progress without the repeated expenditure and administrative disruptions caused by frequent elections. He also administered a pledge to farmers, women and youth to work towards a drug-free society and uphold respect and dignity for daughters.

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