Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired his first cabinet meeting of his second inning
Cabinet also approved a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana
Cabinet also gave its approval for a pension scheme for small traders
Anadalib Akhter / NEW DELHI
The new union Cabinet which met today under chairmanship Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved extension of Prime Minister Kisan Sammaan yojana to all farmers. Earlier the benefit of this scheme was applicable to farmers having two hectare land.
Briefing media after the cabinet meeting here, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, now nearly 14 crore 50 lakh farmers will benefit from the scheme.
He said over three crore farmers have been benefited so far. Under the PM-Kisan scheme six thousand rupees per year is being given in three installments to the farmers.
The cabinet also approved a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Kisan Pension Yojana. This is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for all small and marginal farmers across the country.
The beneficiaries should be in the age group of 18 to 40 years. Under this scheme, the farmers will get a minimum fixed pension of 3 thousand rupees on attaining the age of 60.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said, the central government will also contribute an equal amount to the pension fund. He said, the scheme aims to initially cover 5 crore farmers in the first 3 years.
The Cabinet has cleared a pension scheme for small traders. Briefing about this, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javdekar said, the scheme is meant to provide universal social security to all shopkeepers, retail traders and self-employed persons.
They will be given a minimum monthly pension of 3 thousand rupees on attaining the age of 60 years. All small shopkeepers, self-employed persons and retail traders with GST turnover of 1.5 crore rupees in the age group of 18 to 40 years will be eligible to enroll for the scheme through the designated centres across the country. Altogether 3 crore retail traders and shopkeepers will be benefited under this scheme.