KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that her government has decided to launch students’ credit card from June 30.
The decision, which was part of the poll promise of Trinamool Congress, was approved in the cabinet meeting.
The CM said that the new Krishak Bandhu card has already been launched, also in accordance with her party’s poll promise, and it will enable the farmers to get Rs 10,000.
The new credit card will help students get a credit up to Rs 10 lakh from the banks without personal guarantor, as the state government will provide the guarantee.
“It will be for students from Class X onwards.
In Class X we have around 12 lakh students and in XII we have over 9 lakh students,” the CM said.
There are various schemes for the students like Kanyashree for the female students, Aikyashree for the minority students and Sikshashree for the SC students, the CM said.
According to her, the new scheme will also come as a relief for parents of the students.
“Earlier, the parents used to sell off their property to fund higher studies of their children, but no more they have to do it now.
Parents need not have to worry any more as the project will be launched form June 30.” “From professional courses, diploma to post graduation and PhD and post-doctoral courses, they can pursue their dream with the help of this credit card with a limit of Rs 10 lakh,” the CM said.
“It is a soft loan for the students,” she said, adding that the students can refund the money within a period of 15 years.