Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed on Monday that Maharashtra will receive the second installment of ₹335 crore under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). According to the latest official statement, the virtual review meeting chaired by the Union Minister specifically addressed the consideration of the Second Installment (Second Mother Sanction) to the Government of Maharashtra. The meeting was attended by Dattatray Bharane, Minister of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, senior officials of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, and officers of the Government of Maharashtra. This development represents a significant milestone as Maharashtra becomes the first state to qualify for the second installment of RKVY funds.
The Union Agriculture Minister revealed that the Government of India had earlier released ₹335 crore as the first installment under RKVY to Maharashtra. As reported by Business Standard, the state has successfully utilized approximately ₹260 crore from this initial allocation, demonstrating a utilization rate that exceeds the prescribed 75 percent benchmark. This high utilization rate has made Maharashtra eligible for the second installment of ₹335 crore, with the process for release of the second installment being taken up following the successful first installment utilization. The Union Minister noted that Maharashtra has achieved over 75+ percent overall utilisation of RKVY funds within the stipulated time, reflecting the state's commitment towards effective implementation of agricultural development programmes.
The Union Minister emphasized the importance of timely expenditure accompanied by continuous monitoring to ensure that public funds are utilized strictly for their intended objectives. As reported by Business Standard, this monitoring approach ensures accountability and effective utilization of government agricultural funds across all states participating in the RKVY program, with the virtual review meeting specifically assessing the utilisation of funds released under the RKVY. The Union Minister also stressed the need for accurate disclosure of information by farmers while applying for crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), clarifying that both Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and non-KCC farmers are eligible for crop insurance benefits. He clarified that concealment of KCC status by applying through another account should be avoided, with the proposed declaration on the portal intended solely to ensure transparency and correctness of information.
The Union Minister also appreciated Maharashtra's performance in generating Farmer IDs and highlighted the state's prompt financial assistance to farmers affected by floods. According to Business Standard, the state provided compensation amounting to around ₹14,000 crore that was transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts within five days, demonstrating efficient disaster response capabilities and financial management. The Union Minister acknowledged satisfactory progress under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and appreciated the state's implementation efforts, while advising Maharashtra to accelerate expenditure under Digital Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Seeds, Oilseeds and Agroforestry components to further improve implementation in the remaining RKVY components. He also suggested that pending liabilities under the Seeds component be booked expeditiously to improve fund utilisation.
