Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, will inaugurate a State level mega camp to facilitate the beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojna (MGSVY) at SAS Nagar on Oct 2 and will also launch the innovative Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana, aimed at providing interest free loans to self-help group member for purchase of vehicles.

A spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that 90 such mega camps will be held across the state, at sub-divisional levels, on Oct 2 in order to ensure that no deserving beneficiary is deprived of the benefits of the welfare schemes initiated by the government under the MGSVY.

So far, 6,33,268 beneficiaries have been assisted under the various schemes, including Shagun, Atta-Dal, SC/BC loans, Ghar Ghar Rozgar, disability certificates, Mudra Loan and Post Matric Scholarships, launched under MGSVY.

On the occasion, Capt Amarinder will also launch the Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), under which interest free loan will be provided to the Self Help group member for purchase of a vehicle, costing not more than Rs 6 lac. The scheme, being launched under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, aims at benefiting 123 families of Self Help group.

Under this scheme, the interest free loan is to be paid back within a maximum period of six years after which the vehicle will be transferred in the name of the member of the Self Help Group.

This scheme will be first launched in 6 blocks of the state on a pilot project for a period of three years, from 2018-19 to 2020-21.

The spokesman said so far 27,40,109 applications have been submitted under MGSVY, out of which 8,66,322 beneficiaries have been found eligible. The number of applications still pending verification is 4,15,438.

The eligibility criteria for coverage under the scheme is that the beneficiary should have an annual income is less then Rs 60,000 or have less than 2.5 acres of land.