Wed Feb 19 14:58:55 UTC 2025: ## Rajasthan Budget 2025: Farmers to Receive Increased Financial Aid, Mixed Reactions Emerge

**Sikar, Rajasthan:** The Rajasthan government unveiled its budget for 2025, announcing significant relief measures for farmers. Finance Minister Diya Kumari revealed that the annual payout under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme will be increased to ₹9,000 per farmer. This includes ₹6,000 from the central government and an additional ₹3,000 from the state government, a substantial increase from the current ₹6,000 annual disbursement.

Further farmer-centric initiatives include the construction of over 50,000 farm ponds, increased bonus on wheat MSP, ₹25,000 crore in loans for 30 lakh farmers, subsidies for biogas plants, and 150 units of free electricity per household monthly.

Reactions to the budget have been mixed. While some farmers, like Sitarama Saundarya of Jaipur, praised the loan provisions and increased PM-KISAN benefits, others remain skeptical. Vikram Meena, the block president of the Khet Mazdoor Union, criticized the budget as lacking substance, citing unmet promises from previous years. He also pointed out the absence of specific measures for MNREGA workers.

Jawansingh Doon, a Sikar farmer cultivating cucumbers and flowers, expressed optimism, stating that the budget, if implemented effectively, would be the best for farmers yet. However, Bhanwar Singh, a large-scale farmer, while welcoming the announcements, stressed the need for a legal guarantee on MSP to provide greater farmer security. The budget’s impact on the ground remains to be seen, with farmers’ opinions varying widely.

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