VC reviews schemes exclusively for disabled persons
The J&K SC, ST, BC Development Corporation Limited, in collaboration with National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC), also provides loans for the upliftment of disabled persons belonging to general category in J&K State. It was informed to the Vice Chairperson, Balbir Ram Rattan, by senior officials of the corporation in a meeting held at Jammu.
The VC was told that there is no caste criteria under this scheme. Any unemployed disabled person having disability of 40% or above can avail the loan ranging from 50 thousand to 25 lakhs for establishment of viable income generating units. The interest rate on the loan is 5% upto 50 thousand, 6% from 50,001 to 5 lakhs, 7% from 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs and 8% above the loan of 10 lakhs. There is no income limit prescribed by NHFDC for availing loan under the scheme, where as income sealing is prescribed for all other reserved category schemes. The disabled persons, who are permanent resident of the J&K State with physical disability of 40% or above, unemployed and above age of 18 years are eligible to avail the loan under the scheme.
In case of disabled professional youth, the age limit is prescribed from 18 to 45 years for availing the loan.
It was also informed to the Vice Chairperson that the scheme has the provision to finance the parents / guardians of the disabled persons, who are mentally retarded, suffering with Cerebral Palsy or with Autism because these disabled people may not be able to enter into a legal contract required to avail loan from the Corporation. In such cases, parents, spouse or the Legal Guardian of dependent mentally retarded person can avail loan assistance on behalf of the disabled person.
The Education Loan scheme is also available for disabled students of this category. The Loan amount maximum limit is Rs.10 lakhs for studying in India and upto Rs 20 Lakhs for studying abroad, is available under the scheme.
Balbir Ram Rattan stressed upon the officials to put more efforts to reach at the door steps of the physically disabled people and educate them about the schemes exclusively meant for them.
The meeting was attended by Ghulam Qadir Khatana, Divisional Manager, Mohd. Iqbal Kataria, Manager Projects and Roopali Langer, Technical Supervisor.
