Gujarat govt launches 'Rs 1 lakh loan at 2% interest' scheme

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a scheme under which people in the lower-middle-income group can avail guarantee-free loan of Rs 1 lakh from banks at 2 per cent annual interest as it seeks to help them get back to normal life disrupted by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The government will pay another 6 per cent interest to banks giving loan under the scheme, Atmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojna (AGSY), targetted at small businessmen and a cross-section of people falling under the lower-middle-income group.

According to scheme norms, while the tenure of the loan will be three years, payment of instalments will begin only after six months of disbursal.

The central government has given a package of Rs 20 lakh crore to make India 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). The state government has also decided to launch Atmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojna (AGSY) for small businessmen, skilled workers, autorickshaw owners, electricians and barbers, among others," Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

Other states have declared assistance of Rs 5,000 or so to such people. However, we are of the opinion that such a small amount will not bring their life back to normal, he said.

"Around 10 lakh such people will be given the loan of Rs 1 lakh each from banks at just 2 per cent annual interest to start their lives afresh, Rupani said.

Loans will be provided on the basis of application where no guarantee will be required, he said.

The state government will pay the remaining 6 per cent interest on the loan to banks. The tenure of such loans will be three years. Re-payment of principal and interest will start after six months of sanction, he said.

The government has come up with this scheme after discussion with the district, scheduled and cooperative banks, the chief minister said.

The state government will come out with detailed information on AGSY in a few days and loan will be made available to all those who are in need of it, he said.