�India likely to double cash handouts to women farmers�

Eastern Eye13 Jan, 2024News

The plan is likely to be announced in the budget on February 1 and could cost the government an additional ?120 billion (?1.13 billion), said two of the sources, all of whom declined to be named discussing a budget proposal.It will build on an existing programme that Modi, who will be seeking a third term in elections due by May, announced before the previous general election in 2019.Under the ?Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi? programme, the government transfers ?6,000 (?56.8) annually to both men and women farmers. It has so far disbursed more than ?2.81 trillion (?26.5 billion) to more than 110 million farmers in 15 instalments until last November, according to official estimates.