Govt announces collateral free loan worth 3 lakh crore rupees benefiting 45 lakh MSMEs

Government has announced the first tranche of stimulus packages, under the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Yojana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Tuesday made a clarion call of making India self-reliant and had announced the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Yojana.

Addressing mediapersons yesterday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave details regarding these financial packages equaling to 10 per cent of the national GDP and amounting to 20 lakh crore rupees. She said the financial stimulus will cater to various sections of the society including MSMEs, labourers, middle class and Industries.

Ms. Sitharaman announced 15 special financial packages of 6 lakh 40 thousand crore rupees benefitting a wide array of sectors including MSMEs, Discoms, Real Estate, Middle Class, Tax Payers and others. In a historical decision, the ambit of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been widened resulting in inclusion of many small and micro industries under this sector. This decision of changing the definition of MSMEs will increase competition and productivity in the sector. In a major boost to the MSME sector, collateral free loan of 3 lakh crore rupees has been announced with a moratorium of 12 months.

These loans will benefit 45 lakh small and medium units. Another package of 20 thousand crore rupees for stressed MSMEs benefitting 2 lakh units have also been announced. Finance Minister informed that 50 thousand crore rupees will be infused in the MSMEs through the equity channel.

Opening up avenues for indigenous companies, Ms. Sitharaman said that tenders for Government procurement up to 200 crore rupees will no longer be through Global Tender route. e-Market linkage for MSMEs has been announced to ensure wider reach for sale of products from the small and medium industries. Government bodies and PSUs have been directed to clear all pending dues of MSMEs within next 45 days.