Performance of universal basic income programme in India: A case of PM-KISAN Scheme

The study analysed the performance of the states with respect to the implementation of universal basic income programme for farmers i.e., PMKISAN scheme. It is observed that a large proportion of total number of PMKISN beneficiaries belongs to Uttar Pradesh (22 %), followed by Maharashtra (10.2 %) and Madhya Pradesh (7.2%). Large variation in performance of the states as reflected from the proportion of beneficiaries to potential beneficiaries is observed. The states like Manipur, Punjab, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam and Haryana rank high while the states like Sikkim, Goa, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Tripura, Bihar, etc., are lying at the bottom. The factors that are responsible for improving the performance of the relatively poor performing states are greater financial access to farmers, infrastructural improvement and greater spread of technology dissemination. It is also suggested that the states should focus on digitization of land records and Aadhar seeding with bank accounts of prospective beneficiaries.