The Trinamool Congress has launched a ‘credit card’ in Goa, that promises youth up to Rs 20 lakh if the party comes to power. Last month, the party had promised women in the state a direct transfer of Rs 5,000 per month into their accounts through its ‘Griha Laxmi’ card.
Titled ‘Yuva Shakti Card’, the scheme promises a ‘collateral-free credit’ of up to Rs 20 lakh, and was launched on Sunday in the presence of leaders that form ‘Navya Goeank Navi Yuti’ alliance, comprising the Trinamool-Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leaders in Goa.
“Under the Navya Goeank Navi Yuti alliance, Goa government will implement this scheme that will help all the youth in need of funds. The government will take it upon itself to provide the required security collaterals for this credit facility and tie up with a financial institution for the same,” a Trinamool release quoted former Goa deputy CM Sudin Dhavalikar as saying.
The credit scheme is projected as a “tool that will empower the youth”. It’s being claimed that the scheme will offer “a collateral-free, universal credit assistance facility”.
The Trinamool in Goa claims that the card will help Goan youth mobilise funds for higher education, skill development, professional training, in startups, or for expanding businesses. “With schemes like this, the TMC-MGP alliance is resolved to work together with the youth to usher in a ‘New Dawn’ in Goa,” the party has claimed.
In December, the Trinamool had announced a direct-transfer scheme for women. Named the ‘Griha Laxmi’ card, Trinamool promised Rs 5,000 per month, an assured monthly income support.
Trinamool’s proposed financial sops are being played down as a gimmick by other parties in the state. Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai claimed that the Trinamool is taking things too far.
“How a Goan voter will believe this gimmick when there’s nothing on the horizon that Trinamool can form a government? How can a party which has not set its base, can have a card? It’s a credit card for 20 lakh rupees and the guarantor is supposed to be the state. It’s just a piece of paper. I find it to be a gimmick that will not have currency among people,” Sardesai told DH.
The Goa BJP, on its social platforms, posted, “Congratulations to the advertising agency which is contesting elections in Goa for rebranding another scheme launched by BJP in Goa. The Chief Minister Rozgar Yojana in Goa provides project finance of upto 25 Lakhs with interest rate as low as 3%.”
Goa BJP president Sadanand M Shet Tanavade termed the Trinamool proposal an ‘eyewash’. “They can fool people elsewhere, not in Goa. This is an eyewash. We already have a scheme,” he told DH.
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