Let street vendors grow as Businessmen: CM Kumaraswamy
‘Badavara Bandhu’ scheme launched
Bengaluru, November 22: Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that as the government has introduced ‘Badavara Bandhu’ scheme to help the roadside vendors with interest-free micro financing facility, the vendors have to utilize it effectively and improve their living condition.
Inaugurating the ‘Badavara Bandhu’ scheme at Yeshwanthpur APMC Market, organized by the Cooperative Department here on Thursday, the CM said that the roadside vendors have dependent on private money lenders and they pay more interest. In order to protect them from exploitation, the government has introduced the scheme. Infosys chief Narayana Murthy and his friends had started their company with just Rs 10,000 and grew as one of the biggest companies in the world providing jobs to lakhs of youth. In the same way, the roadside vendors should save a part of their earnings and grow as businessmen, he said.
Don’t torture
Though the roadside vendors sweat-out since morning to evening, they could not live happily due to their meager earnings. So, the police and officials should not harass them for money. Instead, the officials should create a conducive atmosphere for the roadside vendors to continue their business, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwar said that the state government has introduced the ‘Badavara Bandhu’ scheme to help the roadside vendors. The officials should make honest efforts in reaching the benefits of the scheme to the deserving people. In Madhugiri, a flower-vending woman, with her small savings, educated her son who cracked IAS. So, without developing inferiority complex, the street vendors should educate their children, he advised.
Under this scheme, financial assistance would be provided to 53,000 people in the first phase and gradually, the number would be increased. Neglecting the allegation of the Opposition party on the government, the coalition government would ensure good administration, he said.
Cooperative Minister Bandeppa Kashempur, MLAs K. Gopalaiah, Munirathna, Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun, Principal secretary Dr. N. Nagambika Devi, BBMP members, Cooperative societies registrar MK Aiyappa and others were present.
Highlights
State has 4.5 lakh street vendors including 80,000 in Bengaluru. Initially, 53,000 street vendors are being given loans.
Each street vendor would get micro loan from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000.
The loan will be disbursed through the DCC bank, Rajajinagar Cooperative Bank, Visvesvaraya Cooperative Bank, Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank and other Cooperative banks.
The loan repayment period is three months and if they repaid the loan within three months, they would be eligible for getting fresh loans again. Moreover, the loan amount could be increased by 10 percent which means from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15000.
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Focus on Vijay's poll promises; TVK assured 8 gm gold for women
Chennai (PTI): As the new-entrant TVK appears likely to emerge as the single largest party and form the government, the focus has now turned into actor-politician Vijay's poll promises, including 8 gm gold for marriage, which is worth about Rs 14,000 per gram (22 carat).
Vijay's assurances in the party manifesto include Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women below 60 years, 8 gm gold for marriage and six free cooking gas cylinders a year, per family.
By 3 PM, as per EC data, Vijay's party is leading in 105 constituencies and it falls short of a simple majority (118) in the Assembly.
The actor-turned-politician also assured a quality silk saree in addition to gold for indigent brides and interest-free loans up to Rs 5 lakh for women-run SHGs. He assured corruption-free good governance if voted to power in his maiden electoral fight.
The manifesto also laid importance on education. To prevent school dropouts, mothers or guardians of children studying in government and state-aided schools will receive Rs 15,000 annually.
Vijay promised 100 special residential schools named after iconic leader K Kamaraj, credited with revolutionising education in the state, and higher education loans of up to Rs 20 lakh. The TVK founder also assured AI Ministry, AI University and AI City.
The manifesto placed a strong emphasis on agrarian welfare, too.
The party promised a full waiver of agricultural cooperative crop loans for farmers owning less than five acres of land, while those holding more than five acres will receive a 50 per cent waiver. Additionally, the party promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 3,500 per quintal for paddy and Rs 4,500 per tonne for sugarcane.
Addressing youth unemployment, Vijay pledged to create five lakh new government jobs and offer as many stipendiary internships. Unemployed graduates will be provided a monthly aid of up to Rs 4,000. For government employees, the party assured consideration of the Old Pension Scheme and the regularisation of contract workers, including nurses.
On the health front, he promised a drug-free Tamil Nadu. Vijay also committed to modernising hospitals, providing free annual health checkups, and introducing a Rs 25 lakh family health insurance scheme.
The manifesto also included a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for the elderly and the differently-abled, 200 units of free power, patta (land deed) regularisation, and 100 per cent piped drinking water supply for all households.
Some of the policy intereventions promised by TVK include a legal guarantee to provide essential government services like community certificates, and land pattas, within a strictly specified timeframe.
Vijay also promised doorstep delivery of governance by implementing a system to deliver services, such as ration supplies, directly to the people. He also assured that ease of doing business will be paramount to his government and promised a strict guarantee that business licences will be issued within 21 days.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu were held on April 23.
