Education, employment loan ceiling for 'poor' women upped to Rs 300,000 in Himachal

Shimla, Sep 23 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh Mahila Vikas Nigam on Tuesday approved upping the education loan ceiling from existing Rs 75,000 to Rs 3,00,000.

In a meeting of the body's board, an approval was also granted to extend the employment loan from existing Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 3,00,000.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, who chaired the meeting, said the increase would attract more women to avail the benefits of the schemes.

The minister said the hikes would especially "cater to the needs of financially backward women." The Himachal Pradesh Mahila Vikas Nigam was formed on April 10, 1989, and has as its prime objective social and financial uplift of women without any discrimination, he said.

"The Nigam offers loans for education at a bare minimum interest of 4 per cent and loans for employment at six per cent interest rate. Women with family income less than Rs 1,00,000 per annum are eligible for availing benefits under these schemes" he said.

Shandil, who also holds the portfolio of Health and Family Affairs, said the body has since its inception, provided loans exceeding Rs 69.36 crore, benefitting 13,551 women.

"Additionally, interest subsidy of over Rs 2.64 crore has been granted to the beneficiary women," he said. PTI COR VN VN