Assam CM inaugurates microfinance loan waiver scheme in Tezpur
GUWAHATI:
Fulfilling his electoral promise, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on November 28 inaugurated the ambitious Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme 2021 during a programme held at the Collegiate High School playground in Tezpur.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarma said the state government has been able to fulfil its election promise of microfinance loan relief within six months and it will continue to march forward with the same zeal in the future as well. The chief minister ceremonially distributed cheques to 5 beneficiaries at the programme.
The scheme would benefit a total of 24 lakh women beneficiaries in the state and 59,468 women would receive reliefs amounting to Rs 16,000-Rs 25,000 in Sonitpur district.
Sarma inaugurated the first phase of the scheme for those borrowers who have been repaying regularly. They will be provided a one-time incentive up to Rs 25,000 or outstanding balance, whichever is less.
This is an incentive for them to continue maintaining good credit discipline. Total 11 lakh women would benefit during this phase of the scheme, Sarma said.
In November, beneficiaries of eight districts namely – Sonitpur, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Majuli, Golaghat, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao - will be given their due incentives through account payee cheques.
In the second phase, relief would be provided to borrowers whose payments are overdue by 1-89 days and for accounts that are overdue but not NPA.
The state government will pay the overdue amounts. In the third phase, borrowers who are stressed, destitute and whose accounts have become NPA will be covered. The government will consider providing partial or full relief based on evaluation.
Sarma also announced that the commitment of providing one lakh jobs would also be fulfilled before May 10 next year.
The chief minister said that every poor household in the state would be brought under the ambit of Arunoday scheme and 5,000 additional beneficiaries would also be added in every constituency.
Earlier during the day, the chief minister inaugurated a 30-bed Paediatric ICU (PICU), 30 bed ICU and 24 residential quarters for professors at Tezpur Medical College and Hospital.
There are 15 ICU beds and 15 step down beds at the paediatric ICU. Set up with an investment of Rs 4.45 crore the PICU is expected to fulfil the requirements of child treatment to a great extent.
On the other hand, the Covid isolation ward in the Medical College has been turned into a 30 bed ICU block in view of growing demands. The block has been set up with a total cost of Rs 1.487 crore under SOPD scheme of 2021-22.
Similarly, 24 residential quarters for faculty members of TMCH have been made with a total cost of Rs.19.71 crore under TNIF scheme 2017-18.
State finance minister Ajanta Neog and urban development minister Ashok Singhal also spoke at the programme, which was attended by several other dignitaries.
TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.
