Financial literacy making steady progress: Meghwal

Chandrapur (Maha), Sep 20 (PTI) Hailing Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s ambitious ‘Mudra’ scheme, Union Minister ArjunRam Meghwal has said that financial literacy is making asteady progress in the country. He also directed the nationalised banks to providefinancial assistance to the needy. "Financial literacy is making a slow and steady progressin our country, in the recent times," Meghwal said addressinga gathering after inaugurating a day-long ‘Mudra loan camp’here yesterday. The Minister of State for Finance said the banks whichhave cooperated in disbursing loans under the ‘Mudra’ schemedeserve compliments, while those who have shown somereluctance would be convinced to help the needy. He also praised Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir,who is MP from the Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency, for themeticulous planning and implementation of ‘Mudra’ in thedistrict, making the task easy for the Finance department. On the occasion, Ahir urged farmers to start side businesslike dairy farm, horticulture, poultry and others tosupplement their income. As many as 24 nationalised banks in the district haveextended loan facilities to 6,491 persons so far, he informed,adding that the Centre aims at providing Rs 1.80 lakh crorethrough banks to the needy in the country so that youth andfarmers could become economically self-reliant in theirventures. The camp was largely attended by farmers, youngsters andpeople from other walks of life. PTI CORR GKANURDS