Assam CM urges NEDFi to join hands with govt for entrepreneurship development

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2024

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Friday said that North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) can join hands with the Assam government in bolstering women’s empowerment and create more entrepreneurship in the state through micro-lending facilities. 

Attending the 29th foundation day celebration of NEDFi at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Sarma said that NEDFi can tie with the state government in its initiative to provide business opportunities to women working in self-help groups through Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Scheme.

Sarma said that under Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Scheme Phase I, the government will grant a sum of Rs 10,000 in the first year as seed fund to the women beneficiaries. This seed fund will be utilized to fulfil the purpose of business venture initiatives. In phase II of the scheme, in the second year, successful women entrepreneurs will get a sum of Rs. 25,000. Out of this amount, Rs 12,500 will be given as bank loan and the rest of the amount will be granted by the State government.

He said that NEDFi can partner with the government in providing loan amounts to the beneficiaries. He, therefore, requested the NEDFi functionaries to read every component of Mahila Udyamita Scheme to extend its readiness to align with the scheme.

Hailing the NEDFi for the success of its micro-lending scheme which was launched in 2022, Sarma said that under the scheme a total of 10891 entrepreneurs have been benefitted. The scheme also opened a door of opportunities to entrepreneurs in the region.

The Chief Minister also launched a Digital Mobile App for NEDFi Micro Lending Scheme which aimed at lending a helping hand to the small enterprises and entrepreneurs of the NE Region.

The Chief Minister also thanked NEDFi for its role in assisting micro, small and medium enterprises for setting up industrial, infrastructure projects in North East. He said that over the years NEDFi has been a crucial force in providing quick and hassle-free loans to the entrepreneurs, which help them to become atmanirbhar.

For the last several years NEDFi has been a force to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises. He also expressed his hope that in the coming years, NEDFi will travel the extra mile to enhance the volume of business generated from entrepreneurship in the region.

As part ol the celebration, the Chief Minister also felicitated Padmashree Awardees Sarbeswar Basumatary from Assam and Muktamani Devi from Manipur for their contribution to society through organic farming and the creation of entrepreneurship.

In his address, NEDFI chairman cum managing director PVSLN Murty welcomed all the beneficiaries and dignitaries and acknowledged the support of NEDFi’s stakeholders in its 29 years of journey.