New Delhi — Farmers across India grow restless. The 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, worth Rs 2,000 per beneficiary, remains pending well into February. January passed without deposits. Now, with Holi approaching, speculation swirls about a pre-festival payout.

The delay hits hard. Many farmers depend on this aid for seeds, fertilizers and other essentials. Officials have stayed silent on a firm timeline. Media reports, however, suggest funds might hit accounts as early as February 24. That date carries no official weight. The Agriculture Ministry has not endorsed it.

Such uncertainty fuels online chatter. Farmers share frustrations on social media, pressing for clarity. The scheme, launched in 2019, promises Rs 6,000 annually to small and marginal landholders. Installments arrive in three Rs 2,000 chunks each year. The 21st round credited in late 2024. This one lags behind schedule.

Common pitfalls block payments for some. Pending statuses often stem from mismatched records. Farmers must link Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts. PAN verification helps too. Bank glitches can stall transfers. Officials urge quick fixes. ‘Rectify errors promptly to avoid delays,’ a government advisory states.

Checking status proves straightforward online. Head to pmkisan.gov.in. Under ‘Farmers Corner,’ select ‘Know Your Status.’ Punch in the registration number and captcha code. An OTP arrives via mobile. Enter it. The screen reveals if funds sit ready, rejected or pending.

Over 110 million farmers qualify nationwide. The program has disbursed trillions of rupees since inception, according to portal data. Delays, though rare, spark rural discontent. Past installments rolled out on dates like December 31 or March 1, aligning with fiscal cycles or festivals.

Why the holdup now? Sources close to the ministry cite verification backlogs and budget alignments. No formal word has emerged. Farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra report the sharpest waits. One Punjab grower told local media his tractor repair hinges on the cash.

Government portals log millions of daily checks. E-KYC mandates have cleared hurdles for most. Still, thousands face blocks yearly over outdated details. The portal dashboard shows 99% beneficiary coverage as of February 20.

Expect movement soon, reports hint. Holi falls March 14 in 2025. A last-minute deposit fits political rhythms ahead of polls in some states. Until then, farmers monitor banks and the site. Patience wears thin. The Rs 2,000 may arrive any day—or not.