Maharashtra Qualifies for Second RKVY Installment After Crossing 75% Fund Utilisation: Chouhan
New Delhi, July 27 (TNT): Maharashtra has become the first state to qualify for the release of the second installment under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) after achieving more than 75 per cent utilisation of allocated funds, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Monday.
Chouhan chaired a virtual review meeting to assess the utilisation of RKVY funds released to Maharashtra and discuss the release of the second installment (Second Mother Sanction).
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane, senior officials from the Union Agriculture Ministry and officers from the State Government participated in the meeting.
The Union Minister said the Centre had released ₹335 crore as the first installment under RKVY to Maharashtra. The State has utilised around ₹260 crore, crossing the prescribed 75 per cent utilisation threshold, making it eligible for the second installment. He said the process for releasing another ₹335 crore is being taken up.
Appreciating Maharashtra’s performance, Chouhan said the achievement reflected the State’s commitment towards effective implementation of agriculture development programmes and described it as the first State to become eligible for the second installment.
The Union Minister stressed that timely utilisation of funds must be accompanied by regular monitoring to ensure that public money is used strictly for the objectives for which it was sanctioned.
He also appreciated Maharashtra’s progress in generating Farmer IDs and recalled the State’s prompt financial assistance to flood-affected farmers, with around ₹14,000 crore transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts within five days.
Reviewing various RKVY components, Chouhan appreciated Maharashtra’s progress under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and advised the State to accelerate expenditure under Digital Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Seeds, Oilseeds and Agroforestry components.
He also directed officials to expedite the booking of pending liabilities under the Seeds component to further improve fund utilisation.
During the meeting, discussions were also held on the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
Chouhan stressed the importance of accurate information disclosure by farmers while applying for crop insurance and clarified that both Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and non-KCC farmers are eligible for benefits.
He said farmers should avoid concealing KCC details while applying through alternate accounts, adding that declarations on the portal are aimed at ensuring transparency and accuracy of information rather than restricting eligible beneficiaries.
The Minister said the Centre provides financial support under the Kisan Credit Card scheme through interest subvention and incentives for timely repayment, making proper disclosure essential for efficient utilisation of public resources.
Expressing confidence in Maharashtra’s continued performance, Chouhan said the State would further strengthen implementation of the remaining RKVY components and contribute to the growth of the agriculture sector.
TNT KM
