Talented youth, poor and small traders will get a respectable livelihood: CM Chouhan
Bhopal : Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that changes will be made in the self-employment schemes of the state, so that talented youth and those engaged in small businesses can get respectable means of livelihood and financial security.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was addressing a state level rural street vendors’ loan distribution programme organized at Minto Hall today.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan deposited interest-free loan amount of Rs 10 thousand in the accounts of 20 thousand rural street vendors (rural small businessmen) in the state by a single click. Interest-free loan of Rs 10 thousand is provided to rural small businessmen from banks for their work under the Chief Minister’s Path Vendors Scheme. The state government gives the credit guarantee. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Mahendra Singh Sisodia, Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development, Shri Ramkhelavan Patel, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Manoj Shrivastava, Principal Secretary Shri Sachin Sinha, Shri M.S. Belwal were present on stage at the loan distribution programme.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said in his address that rural street vendors should do their business in a relaxed manner. The state government will extend support for their socio-economic empowerment wherever needed. The government endeavours to provide employment, respect and security to street vendors so that they can carry on their business with dignity and lead a prosperous life.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that at one time only big businessmen used to get loans from banks. Banks did not give loans to small traders. Under the state government scheme, small traders have been provided loans on the guarantee of the government. Small vendors had to wind up their business during Corona period. The Prime Minister formulated the urban street vendors scheme and the state government formulated the rural street vendors scheme.
Earlier small traders used to take money from moneylenders at high rate of interest. Now they need not take money from these moneylenders. The state government has also made a law to control those who pay money on interest. Licensed moneylenders can lend money on interest at the rate fixed by the state government.
Big companies will not be a hindrance for small traders
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that it is being noticed that big companies are also starting small trades, due to which small businessmen will be at a loss. But Madhya Pradesh government has resolved to make such rules that the small businessmen will remain unaffected.
More than 8 lakh 52 thousand beneficiaries registered
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that more than 8 lakh 52 thousand beneficiaries have been registered under the Chief Minister’s Rural Street Vendors Scheme. So far, the loan has been disbursed to more than 60 thousand beneficiaries. This work will continue every month.
Identity cards will be given
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that traders registered under the scheme will be given identity cards from urban bodies, district panchayats and gram panchayats to ensure their honour while engaged in work. The wives of path vendors are also joining self-help groups and strengthening their livelihood.
Organized markets and hawkers zones will be formed
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that no poor small trader will be allowed to be disturbed. Their interests will be protected. Hawkers zones have been created in many places in cities. Similarly, hawkers zones will be developed in villages by making arrangement in markets where the street vendors will be able to do their business in a respectable way. He said that street vendors who do not have gumtis or hand carts will also be given the facility to sell their goods.
Employment is the main goal
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that employment is the main goal under the road map of Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh. Self-employment is better. Adequate loan arrangements will also be made for the members of self-help groups of the Livelihood Mission, so that people can also move forward by strengthening their income-generating activities. Rs 150 crore will be deposited in the accounts of self-help groups by the state government on December 28.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the state government will make arrangements to provide loans up to Rs. 20 thousand and Rs. 50 thousand to small traders who repay their loan on time. The scheme will be conducted in the form of a campaign-movement.
Skill Development
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that attention will be paid to skill development so that youth can be made skillful and get employment. A network of small and cottage industries will be laid in the state so that lakhs of youth will get self-employment. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan informed that recently a readymade Garments Company has given information about setting up a unit, which will provide employment to about four thousand people.
Training
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that under this scheme operated by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, training and identity cards will be given to rural artisans and small businessmen so that they can work further and with dignity.
Strict action against mafia
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that the state government has taken strong action against all types of criminals, mafia, goonda elements and those who use muscle power. They have been sent to jail. Government land has been freed from their possession. Those engaged in drug trade will not be spared. Strict action has also been taken against such drug dealers in the state.
Support during Corona period
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that small vendors whose business came to a standstill during the Corona period, got support from the scheme. He said that Mandeep Kaur of Shivpuri engaged in stitching and embroidery, Dina Vishwakarma of Bhopal took loans for motor-winding, electricity work and increased his income. Similarly, Shri Amit Jain of Dhimarkheda, Katni who worked in Delhi, returned home during lockdown. He got a loan under the scheme. He opened a small pan shop and general store. Now he is earning up to Rs 500 per day.
CM interacts with beneficiaries through video conference
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan spoke to Shri Kalyan Singh Ahirwar, a beneficiary of Salamatpur in Sanchi development block of Raisen district, through video conference. Shri Ahirwar is a boot polish and shoe-slippers seller. Shri Ahirwar informed that now he has expended his business and is able to generate more income. Smt. Mangla Bai of Moida village of Pansemal block in Barwani district, runs a tea-snack hotel has expanded her business with the loan amount and bought a stove and other items. Her sale grew and she started earning more. Beneficiary Shri Devendra Kelwa, who runs a hair salon in Bilpank village of Ratlam district, said that he has expanded his business by bringing new machines to the salon which has benefited him.
Symbolic loan distribution
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan symbolically distributed loan amount to street vendor beneficiaries of Bhopal district. He distributed cheques of loan amount to Shri Sunil Sen of Agariya village, Shri Manoj from Karondkhurd village, Shri Dasaratha from Barjhiri village, Shri Ravi Shrivas from Gunga village and Shri Sandeep Kumar from Nalkheda village.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Mahendra Singh Sisodia said that small traders were in deep trouble during lockdown period following the outbreak of the Corona pandemic. The scheme initiated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Chouhan at that time gave huge financial support to small businessmen. The loan amount has already been disbursed to 40 thousand small rural businessmen. This scheme will bring about a big change. Minister Shri Sisodia said that the state is a pioneer in the country in MNREGA scheme. The scheme provides employment to 19 lakh labourers. The state is leading in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. Works of all-round development have gained momentum.
Minister of State for Panchayat and Rural Development Shri Ramkhelavan Patel proposed the vote of thanks.