Cobblers in Haryana can now look forward to getting bank loans of up to Rs15,000 for setting up kiosks in the State under the Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme.
Following the request of Chief Minister Manohar Lal in this regard at a meeting held here on Tuesday, the bankers in the State have come forward to liberally extend loans to the cobblers.
Under the DRI Scheme, financial assistance at concessional rate of four per cent interest is provided by public and private sector banks to selected low-income groups for boosting their productive endeavours.
During the meeting, Manohar Lal urged the bankers to lend maximum support to the cobblers under the DRI scheme to bring them into the mainstream. The Government will also ensure back-up arrangement for repayment of bank loan through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in case of any eventuality, said he.
The Chief Minister also urged the bankers to contribute their profits to social works as a part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.
Recently, while coming back to Chandigarh, the Chief Minister had met a cobbler working in Shahabad town while sitting on the floor on a cold wintry day. He had then announced financial assistance of Rs50,000 from his discretionary quota to the cobbler and directed the district authorities to set up a kiosk for him and ensure educational facilities for both his grandchildren.