To address the issue of rural migration and to give boost to the agriculture and rural sector in the post COVID era, NABARD introduced three special refinance schemes as detailed under.
1 Special Long Term Refinance Scheme for Transformation of PACSs as MSC
The scheme intends to develop all the potential PACS as Multi Service Centres (MSCs) over a period of three years commencing from the year 2020-by providing concessional refinance to StCBs at 3% to support PACS to create quality infrastructure (capital assets) and increase their business portfolio in tune with needs of members. Under this line of credit, NABARD has envisaged transformation of 35,000 PACS in three years commencing with the transformation of 5,000 PACS in FY21 and for subsequent years 15,000 PACS each during FY22 and FY23. Rs.5000 crore have been earmarked under this special dispensation for the year 2020-21. The ultimate interest rate to be charged from PACS will not be more than 1% over & above the interest rate charged by NABARD and will be shared by StCB & CCB as per the mutually agreed terms. Repayment period of refinance will be up to 7 years.
So far, 3055 PACS were given in-principle sanction with estimated project cost of Rs.1760.82 cr and estimated bank loan of Rs.1568 cr. by NABARD.
2 Special Long Term Refinance Scheme for promoting Micro Food Processing Activities.
The objectives of the scheme is to encourage banks to lend micro-food processing activities and create sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities for rural youth as well as reverse migrants due to COVID-19 pandemic in the rural areas.
The scheme also envisages modernization and enhancing the competitiveness of the existing individual micro enterprises and ensure their transition to formal sector in rural areas. The refinance scheme will give fillip to the recently launched “PM Scheme for Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PM FME)” under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by MoFPI, GoI under which about Rs.25,000 crore investment is expected in the sector. The concessional refinance at 4% is available to eligible financial institutions viz., commercial banks, SFBs, StCBs, RRBs and NABARD subsidiaries.
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