Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday disbursed the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme from Bihar. This scheme marks a milestone in the government's efforts to support farmers across the nation. 

Key details of PM-KISAN scheme
Launched on February 24, 2019, the PM-KISAN scheme aims to provide financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year to eligible farming households. The funds are disbursed in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 every four months, directly credited to the beneficiaries bank accounts, ensuring transparency and efficiency. To date, over Rs 3.68 lakh crore has been transferred to more than 11 crore farmers across 19 installments.

How does the 19th installment benefit farmers
The 19th installment will benefit around 9.80 crore farmers, contributing Rs 22,000 crore to their accounts. This assistance is designed to reduce production costs and ensure fair pricing for farmers, while also helping them invest in quality seeds, fertilisers and agricultural resources without relying on high-interest loans.

How to check payment status
Farmers can easily verify the status of their payments on the PM-KISAN portal. Information such as the credited bank name, account number, transaction date, and UTR number is available to ensure transparency. The portal also allows beneficiaries to update details and track their installment payments.

Who is not eligible and how to voluntary surrender

Certain people are not eligible to receive benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme. These include institutional landowners, elected representatives such as current and former Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), and Mayors. Government employees, both serving and retired (except those in Group D or Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) roles), high-income pensioners receiving ₹10,000 or more in monthly pension, and individuals who filed income tax returns in the previous assessment year are also excluded from the scheme.

Farmers who no longer meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme can voluntarily opt out by following a few simple steps on the official PM-KISAN portal.

1. Visit the official PM-KISAN portal at psc.ap.gov.in.
2. Click on the "Voluntary Surrender of PM-KISAN Benefits" link.
3. Enter your registration number, complete the captcha verification, and request an OTP.
4. Authenticate using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
5. Confirm the surrender and your name will be removed from the beneficiary list, halting any future payments.

Once surrendered, the farmer’s name will be removed from the beneficiary list, and further payments will be discontinued. It is important to note that once a farmer opts out, they cannot reapply for the scheme in the future.