(a) any specific steps that have been initiated by the Ministry
to provide easy credit to Muslim women working in the `beedi`
industry in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) If not, the reasons therefor?
(a) any specific steps that have been initiated by the Ministry
to provide easy credit to Muslim women working in the `beedi`
industry in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) If not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI A.R. ANTULAY)
a) to c) This Ministry does not have any scheme for providing credit facilities
to people working in specific industries. However, National Minorities Development
& Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been providing microcredit to self-help groups
(SHG), consisting of a large number of women belonging to minority communities,
through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Micro-credit, to the extent of
Rs. 25,000 per member of the SHG is available through the NGOs for various income
generating activities, including `beedi rolling`. The micro credit is available on
concessional terms.