Jamshedpur leads in implementing Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana, Ranchi secures second position

Ranchi: The Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor Self-reliant Fund Scheme, designed to support businesses operating on footpaths, has witnessed significant success in Jharkhand, with Jamshedpur emerging as the top performer in providing loans under the scheme. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Kaushal Kishore, shared this information in response to queries raised by MP Sanjay Seth in the Lok Sabha.

The scheme, aimed at promoting self-reliance among street vendors, has facilitated loans amounting to Rs 104 crore for 72,605 sidewalk vendors in Jharkhand. Minister Kaushal Kishore highlighted that the Pradhan Mantri Swanidhi Yojana offers loans of Rs 10,000 for one year in the initial phase, followed by Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 in the second and third phases, respectively. Notably, digital transactions are incentivized through cashback prizes of up to Rs 1,200.

Providing further details, Minister Kishore explained that the scheme operates as a central sector initiative, with lending institutions directly disbursing loan amounts to beneficiaries’ accounts. The states do not receive funds under this scheme.

The Minister also disclosed that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of beneficiaries under the scheme, with loans provided to 12,40,522 roadside vendors. Madhya Pradesh follows in second place, benefiting 7,32,346 vendors. In Jharkhand, the scheme has extended support to 72,605 sidewalk vendors, contributing to the total of 56,80,867 beneficiaries nationwide.

In terms of distribution, Minister Kishore highlighted that Jharkhand has received a total of Rs 104 crore, with East Singhbhum leading with Rs 7.5 crore, followed by Ranchi with Rs 16.4 crore and Dhanbad with Rs 15.3 crore. The Minister emphasized that the issuance of ID cards or certificates to street vendors falls under the administrative control of the state government, which also has provisions for the formation of redressal committees to address disputes related to complaints from paper sellers.