Over 150 PM SVANIDHI loans disbursed at interaction camp

The Municipal Corporation (MC) Amritsar today organised a mega interaction and on-the-spot loan disbursement camp under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANIDHI) scheme, during which more than 150 loans were sanctioned and disbursed to street vendors.

The camp was organised in line with the directions of Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia and Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill, with the aim of strengthening direct coordination between banks and street vendors to ensure maximum coverage of the central scheme. The event was held under the chairmanship of Joint Commissioner Dr Jai Inder Singh and Secretary Sushant Bhatia. Various public and private sector banks participated in the interaction. Secretary Bhatia, along with Lead District Manager (LDM) Arpana Sharma, supervised the proceedings and directed bank representatives to expedite the processing of pending PM SVANIDHI applications.

Officials said the coordinated efforts of the MC team resulted in the sanction and immediate disbursement of over 150 loans, providing instant working capital support to eligible street vendors. The initiative was aimed at improving vendors’ access to institutional credit and strengthening their livelihoods. Addressing the vendors, Secretary Bhatia stressed that economic empowerment must be accompanied by civic responsibility. He appealed to vendors to avoid single-use plastic, ensure proper waste disposal by keeping dustbins at their stalls, and maintain high standards of food hygiene in the interest of public health.

Street vendors welcomed the initiative and expressed satisfaction over the simplified loan process. Several beneficiaries said that the additional credit facilities available under the PM SVANIDHI scheme would significantly help them expand and stabilise their businesses.Officials reiterated that the MC remains committed to ensuring easy access to credit for all eligible street vendors while encouraging their active participation in making Amritsar a cleaner and greener city.