By Firstdespatch Desk May 31, 2026
Agartala, May 31 (FD) Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Sunday said that more than 2.59 lakh loans worth over Rs 430 crore have been disbursed to street vendors across the Northeastern region under the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme.
Addressing a programme in Agartala to mark six years of the flagship micro-credit initiative, the Union Minister highlighted the transformative impact of the scheme in promoting financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and social security among street vendors.
The event was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and beneficiaries from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. During the programme, credit cards and loan sanction letters were distributed to eligible street vendors from Tripura.
Manohar Lal said PM SVANidhi, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2020, has emerged as a lifeline for millions of urban street vendors by providing affordable collateral-free loans and facilitating their integration into the formal financial system.
“The scheme was introduced six years ago, which has empowered vendors to revive and expand their businesses, improve their income and secure their livelihoods,” the minister said.
Highlighting the programme’s national achievements, he stated that more than 75.5 lakh street vendors have benefited under PM SVANidhi so far. Across the country, over 1.12 crore collateral-free loans have been sanctioned, while disbursements have crossed Rs 17,800 crore.
Referring to Tripura’s performance, the minister said the state has sanctioned more than 9,300 loans under the scheme, with nearly Rs 15 crore disbursed to beneficiaries.
He noted that the initiative goes beyond financial assistance by fostering dignity, confidence and social recognition among street vendors, many of whom have entered the formal banking network for the first time through the programme.
The Union Minister said the scheme has played a significant role in advancing the Centre’s vision of inclusive urban development and self-reliance by enabling lakhs of small entrepreneurs to access institutional credit and build sustainable livelihoods.
Officials said the continued success of PM SVANidhi reflects the growing reach of financial inclusion initiatives and their positive impact on the urban poor across the Northeast and the country.
Soon after arriving in Agartala, Khattar attended a special programme at Muktadhara Auditorium where he joined Chief Minister Manik Saha and other dignitaries in listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat. FD JK