DIMAPUR, AUGUST 17 (MExN): The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) organized a meeting with aggrieved applicants of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) on Saturday at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
A press statement issued by media cell BAN stated that the meeting was necessitated as it was receiving many complaints from applicants who have successfully cleared the interview but their loan sanction was delayed by banks for different reasons.
24 PMEGP applicants attended the meeting. BAN said it was “awestruck to know the mental, physical and financial harassment meted out to the applicants by various banks even after clearing the selection process conducted by the state government.”
Citing instances, BAN said in one case, as per the applicant, she was asked by a private bank to deposit Rs 10 lakh as collateral for a Rs 15 lakh project. In another case, a government undertaking bank made a pregnant lady run from pillar to post and in the end refused her the financial assistance. In another case, a youth with a brilliant idea after receiving the notice that he has been selected for the loan made a trip to Delhi to get industry experience only to find out after he came back that his project has been declared ‘not feasible’ by the bank.
While highlighting these instances, BAN said it fail to understand why applicants are made to go through a lengthy process of project making, interview, entrepreneurship development programme etc only to be shown the door by the banks.
“Our youths may not be technically sound but today’s generation have shown positive entrepreneurial spirit and dedication.
They should be given a chance. Past beneficiaries may have defaulted and created Non Performing Assets (NPA) but why should our present generation pay for the sins of the past?” it went on to state.
Pointing out that the PMEGP scheme holds great promise and can empower many upcoming entrepreneurs, BAN said it should not be downgraded to just another lowly government scheme.
It said BAN is committed to help genuine applicants of the scheme get what they deserve and will take up the matter with the concerned authorities.
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