TEAM HERALD
VASCO: Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Thursday distributed letters of loan disbursement amounting to Rs 2 lakh to 23 beneficiaries, under National Urban Livelihood Mission.
According to Celsa Antao, consultant to the Director of Municipalities for Swachh Bharat Abiyan, the loan is allotted to the urban poor to start their own business to earn their livelihood.
“DMA received 30 individual and two group applications. However, 23 individuals and two groups were given letters of loan disbursement by MMC Chairperson Bhavana Bhosle, former chairperson Sumita Usgaokar in the presence of Councillors Manish Arolkar, Shekar Khadapkar and Lavina D’Souza.
Speaking to media, Antao said the scheme was in force for the last 15 years, but MMC failed to implement it. “It was due to the effort of Councillor Manish Arolkar, who took the scheme to the doorstep of the urban poor from his ward and out of 30 applications, 23 applicants were sanctioned Rs 2 lakh loan,” said Antao.
Antao told the beneficiaries that they have to use the amount for self employment purpose and the government has allotted 30 per cent subsidy. “The government has allotted Rs 3 crore to each municipal council, which covers various schemes like National Urban Livelihood Mission, self help groups and other NGOs, which are involved in social activities and self help groups will be allotted up to Rs 50 lakh,” said Antao.
When asked what efforts were made by her and MMC to create awareness among the urban poor about availability of such schemes, Antao said circulars have been sent to all the municipalities and it was the duty of the councils to create awareness of various schemes available for the benefit of urban poor.
Councillor Arolkar told the recipients that the scheme was still open and in force and urged to pass on the message to their friends and relatives, who fall within the criteria of urban poor.
Antao, while commenting on Swachh Bharat Abiyan, said MMC has started door-to-door garbage collection and has covered most of the wards. She said her mission is to make Vasco garbage free by December 19, 2015.
