Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Sep 29: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), a central government scheme which enables micro businesses to borrow loans upto Rs 10 lac from banks for non-agricultural income generating activities was launched at zilla panchayat here on Monday September 28.

Mudra Yojana has three categories - Sishu (upto Rs 50,000), Kishor (Rs 50,000 - Rs 5 lac) and Tarun (Rs 5 lac to Rs 10 lac), under which a borrower can avail loan without collateral securities and processing fees.

Member of Parliament, Nalin Kumar Kateel launched the scheme by handing over cheques to beneficieries. Addressing the gathering, he said, "The Prime Minister has introduced the new scheme Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana which will enable borrowers to take loans upto Rs 10 lac. Previously Jan Dhan Yojana was introduced by PM and banks have taken great interest and competitively they have enrolled 1.45 lac subscribers making Dakshina Kannada number one.

"I am sure that bank officials will be successful in implementing and providing benefits to maximum number of beneficiaries. Banks have great responsibility in ensuring the scheme reaches to maximum beneficiaries. Jan Dhan was started with the view that it reaches to the poorest of the poor in the society. In this direction there is necessity to provide information on the scheme to the respective beneficiaries. There have been efforts to give new life to post office and I am happy to inform that there has been a proposal to transform the post office into bank. I congratulate the banks and wish that beneficiaries of this scheme grow multi folds in the coming days," he added.

Mangaluru North MLA Mohiuddin Bava said, "Youngsters of this region after their education can avail this facility to start a small business. It is our wish that the benefits of this scheme reaches all. Similar schemes were started by the previous governments too but in order to make them more effective, the Prime minister has relaunched them in a more organized way. I request the officials to make sincere efforts to make this scheme reach the maximum number of people. Thegovernment can only launch these schemes but it needs to be implemented by the officials. When the borrowers come then they should be provided with all the details. I wish all the beneficiaries success."

AGM of NABARD, Prasad said, "This is a historic day. India has a population of 125 crore and every year 10 lac youngsters are coming into the job market. So there is need for generation of employment, and the scheme will help in this regard. Bankers have implemented the Jan Dhan scheme in an effective manner. In the same way I request them to make this Mudra scheme reach the maximum number of people. There is need to publicize this scheme."

Sathish Kumpala, vice-president of ZP, Shree Vidya, CEO of ZP, K T Rai, field general manager of Syndicate Bank, V K Shrivastava, executive director of Corporation Bank were the other dignitaries on the dais.