Chandigarh, February 5: To create more employment opportunities for youth of Scheduled Castes, the Punjab Government has provided loan in tune of Rs. 695.20 lakh to 494 youths at low interest rates for self employment.
Disclosing this here today, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Mr. Sadhu Singh Dharmsot said that Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation has set a target to provide loan to 1400 poor and deserving youth in tune of Rs. 2250 lakh during the year 2020-2021. He said that 494 youths have been provided Rs 695.20 lakh as loan on low interest rate so far, and the process to provide loans to others is underway.
The Cabinet Minister said that the Punjab Government has handed over a loan in tune of Rs. 5842.89 lakh to 6404 poor SCs youths of the state during the last 4 years. These youths already started their businesses and earning livelihood for them and their families.
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Divulging about the efforts to ease out the process, he said that the state government has authorized district managers at district level to sanction loans up to rupees one lakh. He said that the district level screening committee has also been revised to make the loan process easier.
Mr. Dharmsot said that the main objective of SC corporation is to provide loan on low interest rate to Scheduled Castes and persons with disabilities for self-employment to set up dairy farms, grocery shops, shuttering work trade and higher education loans to further strengthen their financial position.