Odisha Cabinet has given the green light to the ‘SWAYAM’ scheme. This initiative offers interest-free loans of up to Rs 1 lakh to individuals aged 18-35 residing in rural areas.
Key Eligibility Criteria and Conditions
Under the SWAYAM scheme, eligible applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
- No outstanding loans from government-supported schemes
- Belonging to families covered under KALIA/BSKY scheme or having an annual income below Rs 2 lakh
- Exclusion of individuals with existing loan defaults or employed in public sector units/government jobs
Budget Allocation and Coverage
The Odisha government aims to cover 1 lakh eligible rural youth under the SWAYAM scheme initially. A budget allocation of Rs 448 crore has been earmarked from the state’s own budget for the next two years to support this initiative.
Distribution of Jute Carry Bags and Livelihood Assistance
In another significant decision, the Cabinet has approved the distribution of jute carry bags to families under the Public Distribution System (PDS). Each family will receive two bags of 20 kg and 10 kg capacity for daily use. Additionally, a one-time livelihood assistance of Rs 1,000 in cash will be provided to each of the 95.9 lakh PDS families.
Special Incentive Package for Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing
The Cabinet has also given its nod for a special incentive package aimed at promoting the establishment of aerospace and defence manufacturing industries. This incentive is targeted towards the Indian multinational conglomerate Kalyani Group, which plans to set up operations at Gajamara in Dhenkanal.
