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The National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation, NBCFDC, has financially assisted over six lakh beneficiaries belonging to backward castes with a total amount of Rs. 992 crore at a concessional rate of interest. This was stated by the Minister of Social Justice and Employment, Smt. Meira Kumar while addressing the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to her Ministry here last evening. She said during the last financial year Rs. 93.42 crore were dispersed benefiting more than 61,500 loanees. She said that this was possible by way of recycling of recoveries from State Channelising Agencies and judicious management of internal resources. Smt. Kumar said that the Corporation’s cumulative recovery of laons from State Channelising Agencies was 87 per cent. Referring to Micro Finance Scheme, the Minister said that the Corporation has dispersed over Rs. 65 crore to assist over 1.4 lakh beneficiaries of the target group. Special emphasis has been on providing concessional finance @ 4% per annum to the poorest among the poor women of the backward classes under Mahila Samridhi Yojana. The Corporation has so far assisted over one lakh such women with an amount of Rs. 47 crore. She said this has been appreciated by Self-Help Groups in most States. Smt. Kumar said that the Corporation has introduced special scheme for assisting the young students of the backward classes pursuing higher professional courses. So far, the Corporation has dispersed loans over Rs. 21.76 crore to 5607 students under this scheme. This loan is available to students at a concessional rate of 4% per annum.
Smt. Kumar said that the Corporation has promoted marketing of products of artisans and persons making handicrafts belonging to backward communities through exhibitions. Nine such exhibitions were held during the last financial year in which the Corporation participated. These exhibitions have given exposure to artisans and have attracted enquiries from big buyers from India and abroad.
The Members appreciated the loan schemes of the Corporation. They urged the Corporation to ensure the loans are given to genuine persons among the target groups and that they are not exploited by unscrupulous elements for pecuniary gains. They also wanted that the State Governments should be asked to conduct surveys at the district level for identifying people belonging to backward classes. The Members of Parliament, Smt. Mohsina Kidwai, Shri Dharam Pal Sabharwal, Smt. Minati Sen and Shri T. K. Hamza and senior officials of the Ministry and NBCFDC participated in the Meeting.
MLD:LK:sje-11(10.5)
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