 Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Senior BJP leader and MP Rajya Sabha Nominated, Er. Gulam Ali Khatana raised an Unstarred Question (No. 4055) regarding the status of the PM SVANidhi scheme in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Responding to the question, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, informed that the PM SVANidhi scheme has been under implementation in Jammu & Kashmir since 1st June 2020. The scheme aims to provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors to support their livelihoods and promote financial inclusion.
As per the data available up to 1st March 2026, a total of 17,632 street vendors in Jammu & Kashmir have availed benefits under the scheme. The Government has sanctioned loans amounting to Rs 52.90 crore, out of which Rs 50.57 crore has been successfully disbursed, reflecting effective outreach and implementation. The scheme covers a wide range of small-scale business activities including fruits and vegetables, street food, clothing and handloom products, footwear, handicrafts, beauty and fashion accessories, and other daily-use goods. It is a demand-driven initiative wherein eligible vendors apply through the PM SVANidhi portal or mobile application, subject to certification by Urban Local Bodies.
Impact assessment studies conducted by the Indian School of Business in 2023 and 2025 highlight the transformative impact of the scheme. The studies reveal that 95% of beneficiaries accessed formal banking credit for the first time, while the average annual income of vendors increased by around 20% between 2023 and 2025. Additionally, nearly 30% of beneficiaries were able to access further loans beyond the scheme, indicating improved creditworthiness.
The scheme has also contributed to broader socio-economic improvements, including better living standards, enhanced food security, improved access to healthcare, and greater support for children's education.
Among Urban Local Bodies, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Jammu Municipal Corporation recorded the highest number of beneficiaries, with 5,234 and 5,107 vendors respectively. In terms of loan disbursement, Srinagar accounted for approximately Rs 14.30 crore, while Jammu recorded around Rs 14.48 crore. Other key areas include Anantnag (639 beneficiaries), Baramulla (333 beneficiaries), and Sopore (258 beneficiaries), reflecting widespread coverage across the Union Territory. |
