Gandhinagar, March 9 (IANS). On Monday, the Gujarat government informed the state assembly that loan assistance has been given to more than 2,900 beneficiaries under the Shri Vajpayee Bankable Scheme in Rajkot district in the last one year.
In response to a question from a member in the Assembly, Minister of State for Khadi, Cottage and Rural Industries Swaroopji Thakor said that till December 31, 2025, a total of 4,157 applications were received in Rajkot district under this scheme.
All these applications were sent to the banks for consideration. The minister said that out of these, banks approved 2,913 applications and the beneficiaries were given the benefit of loan.
The minister also gave information about the scheme in Kutch district. According to him, 1,919 applications were received in Kutch district during the same period, out of which 1,915 applications were sent to banks.
Banks approved 1,463 of these applications and provided loan assistance to the beneficiaries.
Thakor also told the Assembly that recently the financial limit under the scheme has been increased. Earlier, under this scheme, a maximum loan of up to Rs 8 lakh was given and a subsidy of up to Rs 1.25 lakh was available.
He said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the loan limit has been increased to Rs 25 lakh and the subsidy limit has been increased to Rs 3.75 lakh.
Under Shri Vajpayee Bankable Scheme, financial assistance is given in the form of loans and subsidies to promote small business, industry and service sector activities.
This scheme is for citizens of Gujarat aged between 18 to 65 years who have passed at least 4th class or have relevant training or work experience.
There is no income limit to apply for this scheme. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official portal. Nationalized or co-operative banks provide loans once the application is approved.
The government says that the objective of this scheme is to promote self-employment by providing institutional loans to people wishing to start or expand small businesses.
–IANS
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