:
(a) whether the Government pay special attention to provide loan facility to
the poor and dalits ;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the number of the poor and dalits in Rajasthan and Maharashtra provided
loans by nationalised banks during the last three years indicating the amount
of loans provided ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI GINGEE N. RAMACHANDRAN)
(a) and (b) Yes, Sir. Government has introduced certain schemes for Employment
Generation and Poverty Alleviation under which financial assistance is extended
to various sections of the society including the poor and Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes. The list of these schemes is given below ;-
1. The Scheme for Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (SLRS). Under
this scheme,projects upto Rs. 50,000/- can be financed. All loans upto Rs. 6500/-
will be treated as DRI Loan at concessional rate of interest of 4 percent.
2. Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).Under the scheme, SC/ST have
to be assisted to the extent of their strength in the local population,
3. Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).Under the scheme rural poor
such as landless labour,small and marginal farmers,rural artisans and educated
unemployed enlisted in the below poverty line list up to an age limit of 60 years
can be financed.Out of total assistance, 50 percent is reserved for SC/ST.
4. Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme.This scheme enables the borrowers of
weaker sections to avial loans @ 4 percent rate of interest (40 percent of credit
under DRI Scheme go to members of SC/ST).They can also avail housing loans upto
Rs. 5000/-
(c) As per the information available with the Reserve Bank of India, credit provided
under the above schemes including to SC/ST`s through the nationalised banks in the
States of Rajasthan and Maharasthra during the last three years is given in the statement.