Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district witnessed a milestone Friday as PM SVANidhi scheme beneficiaries clutched their new credit cards and loans, part of PM Modi’s virtual launch from Kerala. The municipal council venue overflowed with grateful vendors, marking a pivotal push for urban micro-entrepreneurs.
Divya Dwivedi, now a confident seamstress, credited municipal outreach. ‘From application to expansion, the loan has been pivotal. PM Modi, thank you,’ she said emotionally.
Grocer Gagan Burman’s tale was equally inspiring. ‘Bank of India tipped me off; Rs 10,000 sparked growth, more loans sustained it,’ he revealed.
Jaysinghnagar legislator Manisha Singh termed it a ‘boon for petty traders.’ ‘Financial empowerment plus credit cards equals endless possibilities,’ she asserted.
Leader Ghanshyam Jaiswal outlined hikes: first Rs 15,000, second Rs 25,000, third up to Rs 50,000. ‘This fortifies small businesses; kudos to the Centre,’ he declared.
Strategically, these enhancements—collateral-free credit, digital wallets, cashback rewards—tackle pandemic scars while promoting digital India. Shahdol’s event spotlights how targeted interventions uplift millions, driving consumption, employment, and inclusive development in tier-2 towns.