The Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that the Prime Minister Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) has become one of the fastest-growing micro-credit schemes of the Union Government.
He highlighted that the scheme has provided a platform for financial inclusion by facilitating street vendors to carry out digital transactions.
He has released Rs. 23.02 crore as cashback to the beneficiaries to promote the use of digital transactions.
He mentioned that the scheme has helped in providing occupational recognition to street vendors by giving those Letters of Recommendation (LOR) for easy access to loans.
A Parichay Board has been given to street vendors to provide them with a sense of identity and dignity in their work.
These boards serve as a tool to promote ease of doing business for street vendors while protecting them from undue harassment.
The Minister highlighted that in the past two years, PM SVANidhi has disbursed more than 40.07 lakh loans worth Rs. 4,606.36 crores to 45.32 lakh beneficiaries.
About PM SVANidhi:
The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2020.
The main objective of the scheme is to provide affordable Working Capital loans to street vendors to restart their livelihoods that have been adversely affected due to the Covid-19 lockdown.
Vendors can get collateral-free working capital loans up to ₹10,000, which are repayable in monthly installments in term of one year.
An enhanced loan of up to ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 on the second and third times respectively, on repayment of earlier loans.
On timely/ early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy at the rate of 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer quarterly.
There will be no penalty for early repayment of the loan.
The scheme promotes digital transactions through cashback incentives up to an amount of Rs. 100 per month.
The vendors can avail of the facility of escalation of the credit limit on timely/ early repayment of loans.
According to the scheme guidelines, a vendor is any person engaged in vending articles, goods, wares, food items or merchandise of daily use or offering services to the public in a street, footpath, pavement, etc.,
To avail of the loan, a vendor should: Possess a Certificate of Vending / Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
PM SVANidhi beneficiaries and their families are also eligible for other welfare schemes;
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Registration under the Building and Other Constructions Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act (BOCW).
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) portability benefit – One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC).
Janani Suraksha Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Quality Council of India (QCI) is the implementing partner for the program.
SVANidhi Se Samriddhi:
‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’, is an additional program of PM SVANidhi, which was launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
During Phase 1 of the program, it covered 125 cities, covering approximately 35 Lakh Street vendors and their families.
Phase 2 of the program planning to cover additional 126 cities to support 28 Lakh Street vendors and their families.
The ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ program was started to provide social security benefits to street vendors for their holistic development and socio-economic upliftment.
PMSVANidhi beneficiaries and their families are also eligible for other welfare schemes;
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Registration under the Building and Other Constructions Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act (BOCW).
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana.
National Food Security Act (NFSA) portability benefit – One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC).
Janani Suraksha Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
Quality Council of India (QCI) is the implementing partner for the program.