New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has sanctioned more than 52.37 crore loans disbursing a total of Rs. 33.65 lakh crore since its launch in April 2015, according to an official fact-sheet.

Around 70 per cent of loans went to women entrepreneurs and about 50 per cent to borrowers from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes, the fact-sheet said.

A category‑wise breakdown of loan sanctions showed that Shishu loans account for 78 per cent of the number of loans and 36 per cent of the amount sanctioned.

Shishu category covers loans in PMMY up to Rs. 50,000. Kishor applies to loans above Rs. 50,000 and up to Rs. 5 lakh, while Tarun category means loans above Rs. 5 lakh and up to Rs. 10 lakh. Kishor loans made up 20 per cent of loans and 40 per cent of the amount disbursed.

Tarun loans accounted for 2 per cent of loans and 24 per cent of the amount disbursed, it noted. Tarun Plus, is designed specifically for those who have successfully repaid loans under the Tarun category, allowing them to access funding between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Additionally, the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU) will now provide guarantee coverage for these enhanced loans, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to nurturing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.

PMMY was launched for financing income-generating small business enterprises in manufacturing, trading and service sectors, including activities allied to agriculture such as poultry, dairy, beekeeping, etc. Term Loan and Working Capital requirements can both be met.

To strengthen support for aspiring entrepreneurs, the Finance Minister announced an increase in the loan limit to Rs 20 lakh during the Union Budget 2024-25 on July 23, 2024. This new limit took effect on October 24, 2024. These loans are extended through Banks, NBFCs, MFIs, and other financial institutions.

—IANS

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