category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU Chandigarh Haryana Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda said that starting from the year 2021-22, the state government has been providing financial assistance to women in both rural and urban areas, with a particular focus on widows, divorced, and legally separated women, through Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam. The Subsidy Scheme for Widows has been introduced to promote self-reliance and enhance the economic and social well-being of widows. Under the Subsidy Scheme for Widows, loans totaling Rs. 638.68 lakh have been disbursed to 256 widowed women thus far. The scheme covers a variety of individual businesses, including tailoring, embroidery, grocery stores, maniyari (traditional handcrafted items), readymade garments, clothing shops, stationery stores, boutiques, autos, e-rickshaws, spice pickle units, food processing, carry bag manufacturing, bakeries, and general stores, with loans of up to Rs. 3 lakh available through banks. Beneficiaries who make timely repayments will receive a 100 percent interest subsidy from Haryana Mahila Vikas Nigam for three years, based on the prevailing bank interest rate or a maximum of Rs. 50,000, whichever is possible in a short time. The beneficiary is responsible for covering 10 percent of the total loan amount, while commercial nationalized cooperative banks will provide the remaining loan.To be eligible for this scheme, potential beneficiaries must be between 18 and 60 years old at the time of loan application. (editor dailyworld.in)