Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan along with Union Minister of Finance Pankaj Chaudhary on Saturday gave away credits of about Rs 5,000 crore to 2.66 lakh beneficiaries at 'Credit Outreach' programmes organized at Sambalpur and Dhenkanal today.

The beneficiaries belonged to four districts- Sambalpur, Deogarh, Dhenkanal and Angul.

On the occasion, Pradhan said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a stringent vow to eradicate poverty from the country and make people self-reliant.

While Rs 2289 crore was provided to 70,689 beneficiaries belonging to Sambalpur and Deogarh districts, Rs 2,537 crore was given away to 1,95,497 beneficiaries belonging to Dhankanal and Angul districts. The beneficiaries included small businessmen, Mudra, Stand UP India, PM Swanidhi, MSME, Kissan Credit Card, Farmers, Fishermen, and HSG members.

Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister Chaudhary and bankers for their support to Odisha people.

Union Minister Pradhan further said that earlier the credit assistance in Odisha was only Rs 67,000 crore, but under the Modi government, it has increased three times to Rs 2,00, 014 crore. There were 4338 banks in Odisha till 2014. However, more than 1,500 banks have been established in Odisha in the last 10 years. Earlier in Odisha, only Rs 30 to Rs 35 was being given as the loan was against a deposit of Rs 100. In the Modi government, an average of Rs 61 is being given at a deposit of Rs 100. Due to the Modi government's successful policy and welfare schemes, 24.8 crores of people in the country and one crore people in Odisha have come out of poverty and become part of the development, Pradhan said.

On the occasion, Pradhan opened the country's first 'Craft Incubation Centre' at Sambalpur IIM. Women working in the textile sector will be trained at this centre and given certificates.

"This centre will play a vital role in skilling women of Sambalpur and nearby areas. The region will witness growth with the progress of weavers,' he contended.

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