Lucknow: No one can dare to extort money from street vendors in Uttar Pradesh today as was done in the past, nor do the street vendors have to beg for money from money lenders, thanks to he PMSVANidhi Scheme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday.
Speaking at the programme organised at Lok Bhawan to distribute loans to 11,000 beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi and Self-Help Group Loan Scheme, Yogi said that 15 lakh street vendors are currently benefitting from the scheme in Uttar Pradesh alone. During this event, he also handed over loan checks to nearly a dozen street vendors and women from self-help groups.
It is worth mentioning here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked street vendors with banks and provided interest-free loans for them. As a result of the scheme, the street vendors are getting loans in three installments of Rs 10,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively under the PM SVANidhi scheme to make street vendors self-reliant, CM Yogi said. However, the second and third installments are provided on the repayment of the first installment. .
The Chief Minister attended the distribution program of loans to 11,000 beneficiaries under the PM SVANidhi and Self-Help Group Loan Scheme held at Lok Bhavan. During this event, he handed over loan checks to nearly a dozen street vendors and women from self-help groups.
‘पीएम स्वनिधि’ एवं ‘स्वयं सहायता समूह ऋण योजना’ के अंतर्गत 11,000 लाभार्थियों को ऋण वितरण हेतु लखनऊ में आयोजित कार्यक्रम में… https://t.co/XniC2IbQYI
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 24, 2023
He added,” A comprehensive cleanliness campaign has been conducted in the state in the last six years, under which not only mafias have been swept out, but the complete dirt has been removed.”
UP govt has connected street vendors with a five lakh security insurance
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that no scheme was ever made for street vendors before, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood their pain and brought the PM SVANidhi scheme for them. He mentioned that the Punjab National Bank, which is associated with the scheme now, has connected 200,000 people with this scheme so far.
The CM said that the state government has gifted security insurance of five lakhs to the street vendors associated with SVANidhi Yojana so that their families do not face any kind of problem.
CM Yogi said, “The PM SVANidhi scheme is the foundation of women empowerment and their self-reliance, as mostly women handle household work and then engage in street vending.”
During the program, the first installment of 10,000 revolving fund was given to 2,000 women of urban self-help groups. Additionally, two women self-help groups, associated with the dairy sector, were given a sum of Rs 600,000.
The CM said that to empower half of the state’s population, the women of self-help groups have been integrated under the Take Home Ration Scheme. “This has not only curbed corruption but has also enabled these women to earn extra income and support their families”, he said.
CM Yogi further stated that with the support of the Indian government in 2019, Balini Milk Producers in Jhansi was established. He said that it began with 6 women and now, about 40,000 women are part of the group. He mentioned that the annual turnover of the company was more than Rs 150 crores and net profit approximately Rs 15 crores.
“The double engine government is relentlessly working to strengthen the society by standing with the last person in the last rung of society”, he pointed out.
Ganga Expressway will reduce travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj
CM Yogi informed that when funds were needed for the Ganga Expressway, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman came to Lucknow and assisted through PNB to overcome the financial shortfall. This expressway is one of the major expressways and highways being built in the country, connecting Meerut with Prayagraj. Currently, it takes 15 to 16 hours to travel from Meerut to Prayagraj, but with the completion of this expressway, the distance will be covered in just 6 hours.
Yogi Adityanath further said that this expressway, being constructed at a cost of Rs 36,000 crores, will also lead to the creation of industrial corridors. Additionally, it will provide employment opportunities to youth.
“Reserve Bank’s report states that Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in terms of investments across the country. The state’s economy has doubled in the last 6 years. Uttar Pradesh has risen from being a ‘Bimaru’ state to being categorized with developed states within the country. This expressway reflects the new Uttar Pradesh of new India”, said Chief Minister.
CM Yogi mentioned that the state government is creating a large industrial zone in Jhansi on the lines of Noida. He said that steps have already been taken to acquire about 35,000 acres of land for this purpose. The state government has approved the budget and connectivity to this region has been improved. The establishment of the Defense Manufacturing Corridor is already underway. “PNB can make a significant contribution to further enhance the potential of Bundelkhand”, he added.
On this occasion, Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, State Minister Rakesh Rathore Guru, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, and PNB’s Managing Director Atul Kumar Goel, among others were present.