Dheeraj Gupta visits Anantnag, presides over SVANidhi Mahotsav

Anantnag : Municipal Council, Anantnag today organised a one day Mega Awareness Programme on PM’s SVANidhi Scheme for street vendors/ hawkers at Dak Banglow, here, in which hundreds of beneficiaries participated.

The Mega Awareness Programme was presided over by Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), Dheeraj Gupta.Addressing a large gathering on the occasion, the Principal Secretary elaborated about the achievements of the scheme in the context of economic upliftment of street vendors.

He said that UT administration is committed for the inclusive, holistic and sustainable development of the urban areas and has in that context enacted Street Vendors ( Protection of Livelihood) Act, 2021.

Speaking on the occasion, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla highlighted about the benefits of the scheme which provided great support to vulnerable section during Covid pandemic.

He appealed the community to get the Vending Certificate online for so that they can avail varied benefits under different government schemes. He also asked the officers to facilitate them in availing benefits of eight different social sector schemes of the government.

The DC also congratulated MC and its staff for the excellent work done on the sector, which helped the district administration to fetch award at National level by Prime Minister.Chairman, MC Anantnag, Hilal Ahmad Shah in his address highlighted about the different welfare measures taken by the MC for the development of Anantnag Town, more specifically regarding the street vendors like establishment of three vending markets, provision of basic facilities and expeditious proceeds under the scheme as well as awareness on digital payments.

Director, SBM, Abhishek Sharma on the occasion gave details about the different aspects of the scheme and highlighted the efforts taken by Principal Secretary in progress of urban sector. He said that more than 14000 loans have been sanctioned in J&K in favour of vendors during the pandemic and post pandemic period.

Director, Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, Mathora Masoom also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role and achievements of the department in facilitating the holistic and sustainable growth of urban areas in J&K.Principal Secretary later on felicitated different street vendors.

He also inspected stalls of departments, and also witnessed a volley ball and kabbadi match on the occasion. Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag, Naser Ahmad Dar; President of MCs of the district, District/ Sectoral officers, PRI members, and large number of street vendors also participated in the programme.