Assam Governor attends SVANidhi Mahotsav
HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, July 31: Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi attended SVANidhi Mahotsav, a celebration of Atmanirbhar Street Vendors organised by Guwahati Municipal Corporation, DAY-NULM, ASULMS under Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, Govt of Assam at Srimanta Sankardeva International Auditorium in the city on Sunday.
It may be mentioned that SVANidhi Mahotsav is a festival for empowering and celebrating the street vendors’ growth story and their contribution towards the Indian economy. The festival also aims at celebrating 75 years of India’s independence with these grass root level entrepreneurs, honouring their journey under PM SVANidhi scheme. PM SVANidhi scheme provides initial loan of Rs 10,000 and subsequently Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively after successful repayment of previous loans, allowing them to plan their business expansion. A vendor gets an interest subsidy at 7 per cent on timely repayment of the loans.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that he was very happy to be present at the Mahotsav where the government is working for the welfare of the weaker sections of the society. He said that the street vendors play a significant role in ensuring availability of goods and services at affordable rates.
Mukhi also hailed the initiatives of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the PM SVANidhi scheme to facilitate working capital loans and help the street vendors resume their business which were adversely impacted due to the lockdowns imposed during Covid-19 pandemic. He said that it is a great initiative to empower the street vendors financially for their holistic and economic development. He also appreciated the street vendors for showing resilience and scripted several success stories in spite of the sluggishness resulting from Covid-19 pandemic.
The Governor congratulated the bank authorities, the implementing agencies and other stakeholders on the successful implementation of the scheme in the state. He said that the scheme will go a long way to benefit the lives of the street vendors and also help the vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
It may be noted that in Guwahati, as on date 10,563 street vendors have already availed the benefit of the scheme.
Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Ashok Singhal also spoke on the occasion. The programme was attended by Mayor Guwahati Municipal Corporation Mrigen Sarania, Padmashree Jahnu Barua, National Coordinator Arbind Singh, Industrialist Pabitra Buragohain, commissioner and secretary DoHUA Kavitha Padmanabhan, deputy Mayor GMC Smita Rai, State Mission director DAY-NULM Panchami Choudhury,  GMC commissioner Devasish Sharma, street vendors along with a host of other dignitaries.
