Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal announced that more than Rs 430 crore has been disbursed to street vendors across the Northeastern region under the PM SVANidhi scheme. Speaking at an event in Agartala, the minister confirmed that over 2.59 lakh loans have been issued to support local vendors as the programme marks its sixth anniversary.
Joined by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Manohar Lal met with beneficiaries from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. During the event, authorities distributed loan sanction letters and credit cards to vendors in Tripura. The minister noted that in Tripura alone, more than 9,300 loans have been sanctioned, totaling nearly Rs 15 crore in financial assistance.
Launched in June 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM SVANidhi scheme provides collateral-free micro-credits to empower urban street vendors. Beyond financial aid, the initiative focuses on digital inclusion and social security to help vendors expand their businesses. Nationally, the scheme has supported over 75.5 lakh vendors, with more than 1.12 crore loans sanctioned for a total disbursement exceeding Rs 17,800 crore.
Manohar Lal emphasized that the programme has been instrumental in integrating millions of vendors into the formal banking system. He noted that the initiative fosters financial independence and social recognition, effectively helping the urban poor gain confidence and stability in their livelihoods.
Comments