The Punjab government has decided to enroll the land holding farmers in the state under the expanded ambit of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAmman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme to cover all farmers’ families irrespective of the sizes of their land holdings. Earlier only the farming families holding land upto 5 acres were eligible to get benefit under the scheme.Secretary Agriculture KS Pannu stated here today that that detailed instructions have been issued in this regard to all Deputy Commissioners. The self declaration forms have been called from those farmers who have not been able to fill up such forms earlier and also from all those farmers who have now fallen in the ambit of the scheme.Divulging the details of procedure, Pannu said that the Primary Agriculture Cooperative Service Societies would distribute and accept the self declaration forms under the extended ambit of PM Kisan Nidhi on the same pattern as was done in the original scheme during the month of February-March, 2019. All those land holding farming families who have not earlier applied, or those who have now been covered under the scheme shall be eligible to apply for benefit under the PM Kisan Nidhi. The fresh forms collected by the Cooperative Societies would be sent to Patwaris for verification of the information regarding land holding filled in the form by the farmers.After verification, the Patwari would return back the forms to the society within a period of 15 days. The society would thereafter upload the form on the computer Portal prepared for this purpose by Governance Reforms Department of Punjab Govt. The farmer family will get direct benefit of Rs. 6000 per year spread over 3 installments after every 4 months. The farmer's family has been defined under the scheme as farmer himself, his spouse and minor children.Serving or retired employees of Government or its Board and Corporations shall not be eligible to apply under the Nidhi. And similarly income tax payers, and professionals like Doctors & Engineers will also not be eligible under the scheme. MP, MLA, Mayor and holders of other constitutional posts shall also not get benefit under the scheme.The self declaration forms have been called till 5th of July, 2019, said Pannu.