Dumka (Jharkhand)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated distribution of loans under MUDRA Yojana and free LPG connections to families that are below poverty line in Jharkhand beginning with Dumka.

“MUDRA Yojana will lift the standard of life of the people after several years of negligence and exploitation by usurers,” Modi said after the inauguration of the twin benefits.

Under the programme loans of Rs 26,000 crore would be distributed among 42 lakh people, including 20 lakh women across the country.

Handing over the first instalment of Rs 10,000 to five men and women, he said it was a loan and not a grant.

The loan would have to be repaid with nominal interest,he said and advised beneficiaries to take them in instalments to minimise interest.

MUDRA Yojana (Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency) would benefit over one lakh people in Jharkhand where Rs 212 crore would be distributed.

Inaugurating the distribution of free LPG connections to BPL families in the state, the Prime Minister said 31 lakh people across the country had given up LPG subsidy which had enabled 18 lakh BPL families get free LPG connections.

“This (free LPG connections) will not only help the women but also will help protect the environment,” he said.

One lakh BPL families in Jharkhand would also get free LPG connection.

Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi on their birth anniversaries, Modi today and urged the people to purchase at least one khadi item to help people working in the sector.

Reiterating his commitment of “together with all and development of all”, Modi said Jharkhand has already embarked upon the path of development and has jumped from 29th position to 3rd position as per a recent survey on ease of doing business.

PTI