New Delhi:  Nearly 1.73 crore people have availed the benefit of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PMMY so far since the launch of the scheme in April last year. Participating in the Public Speak Programme of All India Radio last night, Special Secretary (Financial Services) Snehlata Shrivastava said, the government is making all efforts to create more awareness among the people about the scheme.

She said, the objective of the scheme is to provide banking finances to those who had to borrow from money lenders at higher rates for self-employment. In reply to a listener’s query, Ms Shrivastava said, the government is also considering for providing loan to the people through postal bank under the PMMY.

She said, once the Reserve Bank of India grants the license of payment bank to the postal bank, then the process of providing loan will begin. Ms Shrivastava said, toll free helpline numbers 18001801111 and 18001802222 have been set up to address the queries and complaints of people related to the scheme.

PMMY loans fall into three categories which are Shishu, Kishore and Tarun. Shishu covers loans up to Rs 50,000 while Kishore covers above Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh and Tarun category provides loans of above 5 lakh and up to Rs 10 lakh. The current focus of the Government is on the Shishu category of micro loans which encompass a range of small activities like shopkeepers, fruit sellers, vegetable vendors, mechanics, and small manufacturing units.