TV
Though the Odisha government has brought the Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana under which there is a provision of interest subvention on bank loans up to Rs 1 lakh for the members of the women self help groups in the State to purchase a scooter, most of the beneficiaries are not able to get the benefits of the scheme due to its poor execution and implementation.
Most of the banks in the State are not ready to provide loans under the scheme to the beneficiaries anymore due to their outstanding loans. As a result, the populist scheme brought by the State government before the 2024 General Election has hit a roadblock. Opposition BJP and Congress have targeted Odisha government over the development.
An interest subvention on bank loans up to Rs one lakh is provided under the scheme for which a budget provision of Rs 528,55,00,000 has been made for the next five years.
Though several beneficiaries have applied for bank loans to purchase scooters under the scheme, only a few of them were eligible. Most of the banks are not ready to provide loans to the beneficiaries under the scheme due to their previous outstanding loans. The situation has triggered a political slugfest in the State. Opposition Congress and BJP have alleged that the scheme was brought by the ruling party only to influence the women voters ahead of the upcoming election.
“The scheme has been brought ahead of the upcoming General Elections only for the ruling party’s own selfish interest,” said senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
“These kinds of schemes are brought ahead of the election to deceive the people of Odisha. None of the beneficiaries have availed the scheme in Odisha so far,” said BJP leader, Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.
However, the ruling BJP refuted the allegations brought by the Opposition parties.
“If there are any particular allegations, there will be investigations into the incidents. In fact, there is no barrier for the scheme to be implemented properly,” said BJD leader Amar Prasad Satpathy.
Meanwhile, many beneficiaries have alleged that banks are refusing to provide them loans under the scheme.
As per the allegations by the members of Saikrupa SHG in Balasore, they are not getting finance from the banks because of their outstanding loans. Many self help groups in Ganjam district have also brought similar kinds of allegations. As per their allegations, bank authorities are asking them to pay Rs 25,000 as margin money to avail the loan. Several SHG members have also alleged favouritism by bank authorities in providing loans.
“Under the prevailing terms and conditions, it is impossible to avail the scheme,” said Ashalata Barik, a member of Saikrupa SHG.
“Bank authorities are asking us to provide Rs 25,000 as margin money to avail loan under the scheme which is not the procedure as per the provision under the scheme,” said Rita Swain, a member of Radhakrushna SHG.
“Banks are not ready to provide loans under the scheme as we have previous outstanding loans. Under the circumstances, how could we avail the scheme?” asked Mamata Hental, another SHG member.
