Backward panel for liberal loans

CHANDIGARH, Oct 16: The Haryana Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections Kalyan Nigam will advance a loan of Rs 2 crore on liberal terms to 400 handicapped persons during the current financial year.

In a statement issued here today, Social Welfare Minister Kamla Verma said that a Survey was being conducted by the government to identify the beneficiaries, so that financial assistance could be provided to them under the National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation. The nigam had been declared a channelising agency for National Backward Classes Financial and Development Corporation, National Minority Development and Finance Corporation and National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation for funnelling the funds from these corporations and utilising them for promoting developmental activities in the state.

Verma said that under the National Minority Development and Finance Corporation scheme, a loan of over Rs 1.10 crore had already been sanctioned for 398 persons till August this year. “The recovery of the nigam has been very encouraging as it had recovered Rs 12.45 lakh out of Rs 13.26 lakh thus showing 94 per cent recovery," she added. The nigam had provided self-employment opportunities to 50,989 persons belonging to the backward classes since its inception by disbursing a loan of over Rs 37.48 crore on liberal terms and marginal rate of interest.

Last year, it had provided self-employment opportunities to 2039 persons belonging to backward classes and those living below the poverty line, she added.