New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) Praising the efforts of bankers in helping out the street vendors through the PM SVANIDHI Yojana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the banks are today reaching the doorsteps of people, to provide them with loans and helping them to start their ventures.
Interacting with the beneficiaries of PM SVANIDHI Yojana from Uttar Pradesh through video-conferencing, the PM said, 'Earlier, it was difficult for even the salaried people to approach the banks for loans, while the poor and the street vendors could not even think of approaching the bank.
'But now, the banks are reaching the doorsteps of people to provide loans for helping the latter start their ventures.
'This is an important day for AatmaNirbhar Bharat and the day to honour the street vendors. The nation recognises their contribution towards self-reliant India,' said the PM.
'When the Corona pandemic broke out, other nations were concerned how their workers would cope, but in our country, our workers proved that they can surmount any challenge, fight back and win,' he added.
The Prime Minister said the Government launched the Garib Kalyan Yojana with a package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore, to mitigate the sufferings of the poor during the pandemic.
He said in the economic stimulus of Rs 20 lakh crore, the focus was on the poor. He expressed happiness that the street vendors can resume their work and become self-sufficient again.
Mr Modi appreciated the speed with which the scheme is being implemented across the country.
There is no need for a guarantor for the loans under the Svanidhi Scheme and the provision of loans is hassle- free. One can upload the application online oneself at any common service center or Municipal office, or by going to a bank, he said.
For the first time since independence, the street vendors are getting unsecure affordable loans, claimed the Prime Minister.
He said the maximum applications of urban street vendors have come from UP. Under this scheme, out of the 25 lakh loan applications received in the country, more than 6.5 lakh were from UP alone, adding that out of these, 4.25 lakh have been approved.
He said that stamp duty has been exempted for the loan agreement of Swanidhi Yojana in UP.
The Prime Minister thanked the Government of UP for providing financial assistance of Rs 1000 to 6 lakh street vendors during the pandemic.
He said that most of the street vendors who were given the loan through the Swanidhi scheme are repaying their loan on time proving that small time borrowers do not compromise on their honesty & sincerity.
The Prime Minister urged the need to spread awareness about the scheme to as many people as possible. He said under this scheme there will also be a 7 percent discount on interest on timely repayment and there will be Rs 100 cashback a month on digital transactions.
The Prime Minister remarked that people doubted the efficacy of the Jan Dhan accounts but that the same today are helping the poor at the time of crisis.
He listed the initiatives of the Government for the welfare of the poor.
On this occasion the Prime Minister assured the street vendors, workers and farmers that the country will leave no stone unturned to advance their business and improve their life.
The Prime Minister gave suggestions to the beneficiaries on the benefits of digital payment and how to get cashback benefits. He also said that with this money, one can have proper education and a better career.
UNI AR RJ 2008