The Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation has provided loans to 2176 Scheduled Castes beneficiaries to the tune of Rs. 21.11 crore along subsidies of over Rs. 1 crore till 2012. Disclosing this here today Welfare Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said under various schemes the corporation has been providing loans with subsidies to Scheduled Castes, physically challenged persons to enable them self-employed on minimal interest rates from 0 to 8 percent. He informed that the corporation has provided Rs. 21.11 crore to eligible candidates till 2012 and loans to the tune of Rs. 12.92 crore have been provided to 943 beneficiaries from 2012 to 31 December 2014 with requisite subsidies. Similarly, in association with National SC Land Development and Finance Corporation loans to the tune of Rs. 50.53 lakh to 43 beneficiaries have been provided.
Reiterating the resolve of Punjab Government to uplift the status of weaker sections by enabling them self-employed, Mr. Ranike said Punjab in association with National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation given loans to 89 beneficiaries to the tune of Rs. 80.20 lakh, loans to the tune of Rs. 2 crore have been provided to 101 beneficiaries in association with National Handicapped. He said loans to the tune of Rs. 48.7 crore have been disbursed to the accounts of 1000 beneficiaries through various banks.The Minister said the corporation has been providing loans under various schemes including for opening of grocery shops, dairy farms, piggery farms, cloth shops, scrap shops, shoe making and handlooms etc. He also gave a call to desirous candidates from SC community to avail full advantage of welfare schemes of welfare department as well as SC Corporation.