by Fr George Dabreo and Fr Bento D'souza
AURANGABAD, NOV 6, 2015: The Bosco Gramin Vikas Kendra(BGVK) has since its inception in 1988, catered to the upliftment of the poor rural masses and helped bring about social justice. Twelve youngsters from BGVK in Waluj have now availed of the opportunity to take loans under a Government-run scheme to start small businesses.
The youth received sums from Rs 50,000 to Rs. 1,60,000, under the Mudra Loan scheme - to put basic infrastructure in place to start businesses. The twelve youth in total availed of a loan of Rs 8.2 lakhs. The Mudra Loan scheme was launched on April 8, 2015 by Micro Units Development and Refinancing Agency with Rs 20,000 crores invested for small businesses.
The money is available for young entrepreneurs in the following three stages. Shishu or kids loan of Rs one to Rs 50,000. Kishore or Adolescence Loan from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakhs. Tarun or youth loan from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs. Under the scheme, youth find it easier to avail of finances for their start-up, as there is no need for a witness or a mortgage. The only criteria is that the recipient should be above 18 years of age, have an Election card, an Adhar card and should have paid his light bill and provide two photographs.
BGVK Waluj has done a lot of mobilisation and helped the needy cope with a harsh and cruel drought-prone environment. Making farmers 'empty themselves, stand up and walk by lifting up their gaze' is the slogan of the Salesian presence in Marathwada. A statement read, "This is the Rights-based approach at its best and we are working hand in hand with poor farmers, our target group, to alleviate poverty and bring luxury and freedom from want into the lives of our priority group, the struggling farmer."