Is AP CM Jagan copying Union govt Schemes?

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government, which has been implementing welfare schemes since coming to power, is all set to launch another new scheme to provide financial assistance to small scale street businesses across the state especially to those engaged in traditional occupations. As part of this, AP CM will launch the 'Jagananna Thodu' project on November 6.

Interestingly, Jagananna Thodu resembles Union government project. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has, on June 1, 2020, launched Prime Minister Street Vendor's Amta Nirbhar Nidhi Scheme (PM SVANidhi). It aims at facilitating collateral free working capital loans up to Rs 10,000 of 1 year tenure, to about 50 lakh street vendors across the country.

Similarly to PM SVANidhi, Jagananna Thodu will provide loans of Rs 10,000 to small traders selling on footpaths, street goods and groceries. The Office of the Commissioner, Village and Ward Secretariat issued a statement to this effect on Monday. Under this scheme, loans from banks are given to small traders and the government pays the interest on the loans.

The scheme will benefit those who sell the groceries at footpaths, carts on the streets, various items on bicycles, vegetables, fruits, those who make a living by selling as well as those who run tiffin centers along the road, and those who sell various items on stalls or baskets.

The project will cost Rs 474 crores while the authorities have identified 9.08 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme so far. However, those who did not apply could apply at the relevant village and ward secretariats. Despite this scheme being blatantly lifted from the books of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders claim that it is Jagan's brainchild and are making tall claims. It is being said that the state government will distribute the central government amount to street vendors as their help and try to claim the credit for it, said senior BJP leader in Vijayawada.