In his first move since beginning his third term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed off on the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi funds on Monday. This decision is aimed at supporting farmers and involves the disbursement of around Rs 20,000 crore to approximately 9.3 crore farmers.
PM Modi expressed his commitment to the welfare of farmers, stating, "Ours is a government fully committed to Kisan Kalyan (farmer welfare). It is therefore fitting that the first file signed on taking charge is related to farmer welfare. We want to keep working even more for the farmers and the agriculture sector in the times to come."
This move is significant as it comes after Modi's second term faced massive farmers' protests over the three farm laws, which were eventually repealed. Despite the repeal, some farmers' unions remain dissatisfied with the government's unfulfilled promises regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Narendra Modi, 73, was sworn in on Sunday, beginning his third consecutive term as Prime Minister, along with a 72-member Council of Ministers. While the BJP fell short of a majority to govern alone in the Lok Sabha elections, it secured a majority through the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition.
The new NDA Cabinet's first meeting is expected to be held later today at the Prime Minister's residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. The newly inducted ministers will gather at PM Modi's residence at 5 pm. All eyes are now on the allocation of portfolios in this new term.
