Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the street vendors can get back to their work as the money earned through this way is the only means of living for them. The living standards of the street vendors had further deteriorated due to the lock-downs and restrictions.
On the same note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that efforts are being made to provide an online delivery platform for street food vendors. A virtual interaction was done with the beneficiaries of the PM Street Vendor’s Aatmanirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme from Madhya Pradesh. Modi said that with the help of this scheme, the benefits of this scheme has reached to over lakh people. It has also helped in providing identity cards to over 4.5 lakh people in 2 months.
The scheme was launched on June 1 with the motive of helping poor street vendors whose jobs have been affected by the pandemic. Also the Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs launched the scheme which gives special micro-credit facility to provide affordable loans of up to Rs.10000 to more than Rs. 50 lakhs street vendors. The scheme is valid up to March 2022.
PM Modi said, “The aim of the scheme is to give a fresh start to street vendors. This is the first time that the network of street vendors has been attached to the system and they have been given an identity. The scheme makes it possible for them to get capital through which they access to easy loans.” He also added, “We need to ensure that enough people know about this scheme so they can avail benefits. Technology has been used that street vendors do not need to stand in long lines to submit their forms.”
Addressing the street vendors, Modi said that if they come forward, the government will take further efforts. He also urged the vendors to adopt the digital payment system on a large scale. “The use of digital payment has increased during the past three-four years. Its importance was realised during the corona (COVID-19 outbreak) period. Now customers avoid making payment in cash and pay directly through mobile phone,” he said. Modi also told that the representatives of banks and such organizations will reach out to them, provide the QR code and inform the about its use.
Lastly, Modi said, “The government is working on another scheme for street vendors. Those who will be attached with this scheme, the government will ensure that they get benefits of all the other government schemes including Ujjwala, Ayushman Bharat. We want the world market to be connected to our villages.”
NEWS REPORTED BY:
VRIDHI BHAGNARI.
