UP govt mulls loan waiver for physically challenged

The Uttar Pradesh government is mulling a loan waiver for the physically challenged on the lines of the ambitious crop loan waiver announced by the Adityanath government for farmers.

The Divyaangjan Shashaktikaran Vibhaag of the Uttar Pradesh government wants to waive pending loans worth Rs 3.88 crore.

"In the next 100 days, the endeavour of the department will be to waive pending loans worth Rs 3.88 crore which were availed of by 6,821 divyaangjans (disabled). So far, loans worth Rs 1.60 crore have been paid by them. We want to waive the loans of divyaangjans on the lines of crop loan waiver announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath," Divyangjan Empowerment Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said.

At present there are almost two crore 'divyaangjan' persons residing in UP.

"The UP government is planning to make the divyaangjans self-reliant. Efforts are being made to link them with the Centre's National Skill Development Mission. The divyaangjans are also being encouraged to start their cottage industries and gradually venture into MSME (Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises) sector," Rajbhar said.

He also said that the financial assistance provided to 'divyaangjans' to start their business/shops could be raised from the existing Rs 30,000 to Rs one lakh.