Freedom fighters an asset for the nation: Chetan Singh Jauramajra

Chandigarh, February 9, 2023:   With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's vision of giving utmost respect to Shaheed Bhagat Singh signifies his respect towards the valiant of the freedom struggle who risked laying down their lives for the nation. As a noble gesture to mark their contribution in freedom struggle, the Minister for Welfare of Freedom Fighters Chetan Singh Jauramajra is leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of freedom fighters.

On the directions of CM Bhagwant Mann, Jauramajra launched a helpline number 0172-2740788 and an email [email protected] for freedom fighters which would be helpful in addressing any kind of problem or inconvenience if they face. He further said with the launch of this number  and email, freedom fighters need not to go to any government office for redressel of their grievances, infact upon getting any complaint on this helpline, government officials would visit their doorsteps and resolve any kind of difficulty being faced by them.

It is pertinent to mention here that it is for the first time in Punjab's governence history that the Minister Jauramajra himself visited the houses of the freedom fighters and enquired about their problems and instructed the officials for their immidiate resolution. He said it is due to the sacrifices made by these freedom fighters that we are relishing our freedom.

Punjab Government has released amount of one crore rupees for welfare of poor people of minority class for giving loans under self-employment schemes: Dr.Baljit Kaur

Mann Government will provide loans at low interest rates for to self-employment
Chandigarh, February 9, 2023: The Punjab Government has released an amount of one crore rupees for the year 2022-23 for providing loans at low interest rates under various self-employment schemes for the welfare of the poor people belonging to the minority sections of the state.

Divulging in this regard, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that an amount of one crore rupees has been released as its share for taking a term loan from NMDFC has been approved by the Punjab government to give loans under self-employment schemes to the poor people of the minority sections of the state.   Under this scheme getting an amount of Rs 18.00 crore from Rastri Corporation NMDFC, loans of Rs 19.00 crore will be distributed to the persons belonging to the minority sections of the state of Punjab.  The corporation will also conduct awareness camps at the district level to provide information regarding disbursement of loans to eligible persons. She said eligible individuals can start self employment businesses by getting maximum benefits of this scheme.

The Cabinet Minister said that an amount of One crore rupees was released under this scheme in the last five years during the year 2020-21. Under this scheme, loans of five lakh rupees will be given at the rate of 6-8% annual interest under the self employment scheme to raise the living standards of the minority sections (Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Parsis, Buddhists and Jains) of the state of Punjab.  Apart from this, loans are given at 3% annual interest rate under the education loan scheme for the students of the minority class of the state of Punjab to pursue professional and technical education graduate and beyond.

Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the applicant should be a permanent citizen of Punjab state and his age should be between 18 to 55 years. Along with this, the applicant should belong to a minority class as declared by the Government of India. Annual family income of the applicant desirous of availing the loan should be up to Rs.98,000/- in rural areas and up to Rs.1,20,000/- in urban areas.

The minister further said that this loan is provided for dairy farming, poultry farming, vegetable growing, beekeeping, carpentry, furniture, blacksmith work, flour mill, kohlu, auto rickshaw (passenger, haulage), general store (grocery, cattle feed, Poultry Feed), Hardware Store (Mentry and Building Material Iron) etc.

Apart from This, these loan are available for clothing, readymade garment shop, books, stationery shop, bicycle sale and repair, Photostat machine, tailoring, agricultural implements (fabrication), auto mobile repair, spare parts shop, electronics, electrical sale and repair, fabrication unit, Also provided for Photography and Videography, Hosiery Unit, Small Scale Industrial Unit (Any Goods Manufacturing Business), Sweet Shop, Dhaba, Beauty Parlour are also provided.