A PM SVANidhi loan welfare fair took place at Kalyan Community Hall in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, attracting thousands of participants, including beneficiaries and dignitaries like Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot. Street vendors at the fair received cheques and sanction letters under the PM SVANidhi scheme, aimed at financially empowering urban street vendors and small traders. Organized by the Urban Community Development (UCD) department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, the fair informed over 100 beneficiaries about various welfare schemes and provided training on digital transactions.
The fair not only offered loans to street vendors but also connected them with other government schemes, according to the organizers. Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot emphasized that the loan facilities aim to promote self-reliance. Beneficiary Radha Ben Naika shared her success story, expressing gratitude for the Rs 25,000 loan that helped her start a profitable clothing business, support her family, and fund her child’s education. Another beneficiary, Vaishali Soni, highlighted the benefits of the Rs 50,000 loan, expressing gratitude to the government and emphasizing its significance for middle-class families.
The PM SVANidhi scheme has become a vital initiative supporting vendors in the informal urban economy nationwide. Apart from providing collateral-free loans, the scheme has promoted digital adoption, enhanced access to institutional credit, and expanded social security coverage. Launched in 2020, the scheme has already disbursed over 1.12 crore loans, benefiting more than 75 lakh beneficiaries with loans totaling over Rs 17,800 crore. Loans under the scheme are disbursed in tranches, ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.
