To aid minorities and Divyangjans of the state to establish and expand their start-ups and promote self-employment, the Himachal Pradesh Minority Finance and Development Corporation (HPMFDC) has increased the limit for minimum family income to ₹3 lakh annually to avail loans at concessional rates.
Earlier, this income limit was 98 thousand in rural areas and 1.20 lakh rupees in urban areas. The decision in this regard was taken here today during the 52nd Board of Directors meeting of the Corporation held under the chairmanship of Health, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil.
While chairing the meeting, the Minister said that the State Government is taking effective steps for the empowerment and upliftment of minorities and Divyangjans in Himachal Pradesh. He stated: "For the welfare of minorities and Divyangs, and to encourage self-employment, the state government provides various facilities.
During the financial year 2023-24, a loan of Rs. 1296.95 lakh has been granted to minorities and a loan of Rs. 540.83 lakh has been granted to Divyangjans through the HPMFDC at concessional interest rates."
In the current fiscal, targets have been set to add more and more beneficiaries and provide them loans at concessional rates, said the minister, adding that special efforts were afoot to achieve these targets.
The HPMFDC provides loans at subsidised interest rates for small businesses, transport services, shops, parlors and ventures in the fields of agriculture etc. Minorities in the age group of 18 to 55 years are granted loans up to Rs. 20 lakh at an interest rate of 6 percent and up to Rs. 20 to Rs. 30 lakh at an interest rate of 7 percent.
Similarly, divyangs above the age of 16 years are granted loans up to Rs. 5 lakh at an interest rate of 6 percent, up to Rs. 10 lakh at an interest rate of 7 percent and above Rs. 10 lakh at an interest rate of 8 percent.
There is a provision of 2 percent additional interest rebate for Divyang women. Apart from this, minorities and divyangs of the state are provided loans at the rate of 3 percent for pursuing courses in technical education.
Dr. Shandil said that awareness camps should be organised at regular intervals across the state to spread the information regarding various welfare initiatives being taken by the HPMFDC for the benefit of minorities and divyangs.
The HPMFDC must focus on areas where cluster of minorities reside or where there are more divyangs so that they could be benefitted at large. Various issues were discussed in the BoD meeting and new demands were approved.
Secretary Social Justice and Empowerment Ashish Singhmar, Managing Director of the HPMFDC Manoj Kumar, Director Women and Child Development Gandharva Rathore, members of the Board of Directors of the HPMFDC and other senior officers were present at the meeting.