A mega credit camp was organized by Manipur Rural Bank at Sangai Hall of Hotel Imphal in Imphal on Thursday.
State Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Forest and Environment minister Th Shyamkumar and Manipur Rural Bank Chairman Dr Prasanna Kumar Bal distributed loans amounting to Rs 709.54 lakh to 961 persons and Self Help Groups, out of which 626 (Rs 561 lakhs) were mudra loans on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the State Government has taken up necessary measures to make release of funds by the Finance Department simpler and easier.
He also directed the authority of Manipur Rural Bank to study together with the officials of Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) to find out whether there is any feasibility of extending financial assistance to street vendors of Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal so that they may start their own business at their own localities.
“Once an extensive survey is made, the street vendors can also be extended assistance through various schemes introduced by the Government under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he felt.
“The present government is seriously trying to find out a means to provide employment to unemployed youths in a time-bound manner.” There are 7.5 lakh unemployed youths as per the reports.
As such, the State Budget for the fiscal year 2018-19 will give thrust to self-employment through skill development, he said, while adding the Government would also help educated youths to start their own business through StartUp project, for which Rs 35 crore had been earmarked.
Forest and Environment Minister Shyamkumar and Manipur Rural Bank Chairman Dr Prasanna also spoke on the occasion.
Manipur Rural Bank which currently has 22 branches across the State was established on May 28, 1981 as a joint undertaking of Government of India, Government of Manipur and United Bank of India by contributing its share capital at the ration of 50:15:35 under Regional Rural Bank Act, 1976. The bank has disbursed 6201 loans amounting to Rs 3853.51 lakhs till December 31, 2017.