Jaipur, September 2026: The Rajasthan government has decided to clear pending payments amounting to around Rs 156 crore owed to farmers under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, which had remained unsettled for nearly three years.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal said ensuring that farmers receive their rightful payments on time remains the government’s priority.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana, implemented by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, has been operational in 17 districts of Rajasthan since April 1, 2020. Under the scheme, farmers were provided assistance for farm ponds, irrigation pipelines, diggis, agricultural machinery and crop diversification mini-kits, sprinklers, mini-sprinklers, drip irrigation systems and other facilities.
Following the discontinuation of the scheme after October 15, 2025, subsidy payments of around Rs 158 crore to farmers in the state remained pending. Of this amount, approximately Rs 90.91 crore pertained to the Agriculture Department and Rs 66.16 crore to the Horticulture Department.
State Government Makes Efforts to Clear Pending Dues
The Rajasthan government made several efforts to obtain approval from the Centre for clearing the pending liabilities. The Chief Minister, the Agriculture and Horticulture Minister, the Chairman of the Rajasthan Farmers Commission and the Chief Secretary corresponded with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and pursued the matter.
However, the payment of the pending subsidy could not be made as the administrative approval for the scheme was issued by the state government with a delay, while the Centre did not permit implementation of the scheme after October 15, 2025.
In view of the situation, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, citing the government’s concern for farmers, decided that the pending liabilities would be paid from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).
Finance Department Approves Allocation
The Finance Department has approved payment of the pending liabilities under the Atal Bhujal Yojana from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund.
Agriculture Commissioner Naresh Goyal has issued budget allocation orders to the concerned Zila Parishads and district agriculture officers. The concerned district officials have been directed to complete verification immediately and ensure payment to all eligible farmers.
An amount of approximately Rs 90 crore has been allocated towards pending liabilities of the Agriculture Department. Separate action is also being initiated shortly for clearing the liabilities of the Horticulture Department.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal said the department is giving the highest priority to farmers’ interests and that all eligible pending payments are being processed for early disbursement.
