Under this programme, 101 rickshaws were distributed in Karnal on Thursday and remaining, out of the targeted 200 rickshaws, would be soon being given away. While stating this here, an official spokesman said that rickshaws were being provided to rickshaw pullers at the monthly installment of Rs 175. After repaying their loans for a period of three years, they would become the owner of the rickshaw. These rickshaw pullers used to ply rickshaw at a rent of Rs. 20 per day and as such they could never become the owner of rickshaw, he added.
He said that a scheme named 'Swabhiman' would be launched in Delhi today by UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi to provide banking facility to all the citizens of the country. Under the scheme, all such villages as have population more than 2000 people would be provided banking facilities by March 31, 2012.
Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, Neelam Pradeep Kasni said that Punjab National Bank had rid the rickshaw pullers of the clutches of money lenders by providing them easy loan. With this initiative of the bank, the rickshaw pullers would be able to become the owner of a rickshaw and lead a life with self respect.
