Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, announced that more than 9,300 loans have been sanctioned in Tripura under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, with nearly Rs 15 crore disbursed to beneficiaries so far.

The minister made the remarks during an event marking six years of the PM SVANidhi scheme, a flagship micro-credit initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) aimed at empowering street vendors through collateral-free loans, digital inclusion, and social security benefits.

The programme was attended by Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, along with PM SVANidhi beneficiaries from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. During the event, credit cards and loan sanction letters were distributed to street vendors from Tripura.

Launched in June 2020, PM SVANidhi has played a significant role in improving access to formal financial services for street vendors, enabling them to expand and strengthen their livelihoods. Across the country, the scheme has facilitated more than 1.05 crore loan sanctions amounting to over ₹17,800 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Manohar Lal said Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the scheme to recognise the contribution of street vendors and provide them with opportunities for financial empowerment and social recognition.

"The objective of PM SVANidhi extends beyond providing collateral-free loans. It aims to instill confidence, dignity, and financial security among street vendors, helping them improve their economic prospects," he said.

Highlighting the scheme's achievements, the minister noted that over 75.5 lakh street vendors nationwide have benefited from PM SVANidhi over the past six years. More than 1.12 crore collateral-free loans have been sanctioned, while disbursements have crossed ₹17,800 crore.

Focusing on the North-East, he stated that more than 2.59 lakh loans have been distributed across the region, providing financial assistance exceeding ₹430 crore to street vendors. In Tripura alone, over 9,300 loans have been sanctioned and nearly ₹15 crore has been disbursed under the scheme.

The minister also emphasized that PM SVANidhi has helped lakhs of beneficiaries enter the formal banking system for the first time, promoting financial inclusion and supporting the vision of a self-reliant India.