Patna: Street vendors, who play a big role in India’s cities by providing food and daily goods, are set to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi Yojana (PM SVANidhi). The scheme has now been extended by the government until March 2030, giving vendors more time and opportunities to improve their work and income. A public welfare fair was organised at the Nagar Parishad office auditorium to spread awareness about the scheme.
The main aim of this programme is to make street vendors self-reliant. Under the scheme, vendors can take loans in three stages: Rs 15,000 in the first installment, Rs 25,000 in the second, and Rs 50,000 in the third. In total, a vendor can receive up to Rs 1 lakh to expand or improve their business. This money is meant to help them buy better equipment, stock goods, and strengthen their work.
To make vendors ready for modern business practices, the scheme also focuses on training. They will be taught about financial inclusion, digital literacy, e-commerce, packaging, and most importantly, food safety and hygiene. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will join hands to ensure food vendors learn proper hygiene and cleanliness standards, which can help them serve customers better and attract more business.
Another important feature of PM SVANidhi is digital empowerment. Every beneficiary will get a UPI-linked RuPay card, which will make it easier for them to accept digital payments. To encourage cashless transactions, vendors will also get up to Rs 1,200 every year as cashback. This step is expected to reduce dependence on cash and bring street vendors closer to the mainstream digital economy.
In addition, the “Svanidhi Se Samriddhi Yojana” will connect vendors and their families to other government welfare programmes. These include ration cards, Jan Dhan bank accounts, Ujjwala gas connections, Atal Pension Scheme, life and accident insurance, maternity support schemes, and e-Shram cards. Together, these benefits aim to provide security and better living conditions for street vendors and their households.
The event saw many vendors coming forward to register and learn about the scheme. City officials such as Baleshwar Rai, Ajay Kumar, Dheeraj Kumar, and Sanjay Kumar guided them through the application process. Authorities said all approved applications would be quickly processed so that vendors can start receiving their loans and benefits without delay. With this extension until 2030, PM SVANidhi is expected to bring lasting change to the lives of millions of street vendors across the country.
