Limits raised on loans for minority empowerment

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has introduced changes in the income level and number of loans for the empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Schedule Tribes, Other Backward Classes and other minorities which will benefit a larger number of people in availing loans for study, asserted Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam said on Wednesday.

"Under Delhi Swarojgar Yojna, the loan amount has been increased to Rs 10 lakh from the previous limit of Rs 5 lakh. This has been done to cater to a larger number of beneficiaries," said Gautam.

He added that eligibility criteria have been changed and now the annual family income to avail the scheme has been raised from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, so that maximum benefit reaches the deserving. These initiatives were taken pursuant to the Supreme Court directives.

"Processing fee of Rs 500 and application fee of Rs 100 for the loan application have been totally abolished by the board to save the time of the applicants," said Gautam.

He also said that attested copies of documents are now replaced by self-attestation.

"As a security measure, a security in the form of Registered GPA and Agreement of Sale is acceptable," said the minister.

He further said that the Educational Loan Scheme has been raised from Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakh from the earlier Rs 7.5 to Rs 10 lakh.

This has been done in line with steep educational fee structure of large and reputed institutes.

"Duration of various courses under vocational training schemes is to be increased from three months to one year, so that maximum benefit to students is ensured, in addition to the proposal of a stipend of Rs 2,000 which has been proposed to be introduced for approval," said Gautam.

Last year, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government had introduced a scheme to start free-coaching classess for IAS, medical and other competitive exams and a mobile application to apply for loans for students of the SC, ST, OBC and minority communities.

Talking about the need of such schemes, Gautam said, "Earlier, the department would rent a place and hire teachers to hold classes, which were irregular and poorly-attended. Under the new scheme, students of minority categories would study alongside general category students at reputed coaching centres."