Kota Srinivas Poojary appeals for prompt loan processing for Vishwakarma beneficiaries

Udupi: More than 11 lakh applications have been submitted across Karnataka for the Vishwakarma Scheme, introduced to support traditional artisans.
In the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency alone, over 60,000 applicants have expressed interest in availing the scheme’s benefits. To date, over 7,000 beneficiaries have received training under the scheme.

Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to direct nationalized banks to disburse loans to skilled artisans under the Vishwakarma Scheme without delay.

While some nationalized banks have been proactive in processing loan applications, others have imposed additional requirements. These include demanding affidavits exceeding the stipulated Rs 250 fee, referencing CIBIL scores even for applicants who repaid loans taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, and seeking GST bills. Such obstacles have led to delays for many traditional artisans awaiting loans.

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary emphasized the need for immediate directives to banks to facilitate loans to eligible applicants under the centrally-backed Vishwakarma Scheme.

Responding to the concerns, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured swift action and directed banks to ensure timely loan disbursal to the scheme’s beneficiaries.