Mangaluru: Street vendors in the city took to the streets demanding the uninterrupted continuation of the PM SVANidhi loan scheme, which was launched to help them achieve financial independence. They also appealed for an increase in the loan ceiling to meet rising costs.
The demonstration was organized by the Dakshina Kannada District Street Vendors’ Association, which held a padayatra from Ballalbagh to the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) office.
According to the protesters, the sudden halt of the PM SVANidhi micro-loan program has left many vendors in distress. They pointed out that numerous beneficiaries have been diligent in repaying loans on time. The scheme earlier extended loans in three phases—₹10,000 in the first, ₹20,000 in the second, and ₹50,000 in the third.
However, for nearly eight months, vendors claim they have been unable to apply through the official portal, blocking fresh access to much-needed funds. The association emphasized that genuine vendors with a track record of repayment must not be deprived of support.
Gathering outside the MCC office, they urged the authorities to promptly intervene and safeguard the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on street vending.