Govt's 'Aatmanirbhar' plan hits a legal hurdle

Surat activist sends legal notice to CM and junior health minister claiming people are not getting loan as promised by the State government

The State government's scheme to provide Rs 1-lakh guarantee-free loan to small businesses and people from the lower income group has hit a legal hurdle. A Surat-based activist has sent a legal notice to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and State level health minister Kishor Kanani for 'breaching trust' of people.

Sanjay Ezhava issued the notice through his advocate Girish Hareja on May 23 and gave seven days to the government for a reply. He demanded that the government should arrange for disbursal of loans through private banks without any guarantor and only based on a form.

Rupani had launched the 'Aatmanirbhar Gujarat Sahay Yojana' on May 14, claiming it will benefit over 1 million lockdown-hit small traders, hawkers, skilled workers and a cross-section of people falling under the lower middle income group. The scheme was promoted by claiming that the loan can be availed without producing any form of guarantee and by filling a single form.

We will wait for seven days and if the government doesn’t reply, we will initiate legal proceedings. We have sent the notice to the government and minister through emailGirish Hareja, Sanjay’s lawyer

I have issued the legal notice as people are not getting loans as promised by the govt. The banks ask for guarantors and other proofs So, the people are feeling cheatedSanjay Ezhava , activist

However, Ahmedabad Mirror Page 1 report, 'Want to be self-reliant? You only have to submit 10 proofs, 2 guarantors' (AM, May 24) showed that applicants were disappointed after being asked to submit 10 documents, including PAN card, ration card, Aadhaar card details of entire family, income certificate, proof of business, 'shramyogi' number as well as advance cheques and complete details of two guarantors along with their photographs.

"I have issued the legal notice as people are not getting loans as promised by the government. The banks ask for guarantors and other proofs from a normal loan applicant. So, the people are feeling cheated," said Ezhava.

He said, "The government and the state level health minister had promoted the scheme on social media and other platforms. But, people have had to stand in long queues to even get a form."

Ezhava's lawyer Girish Hareja said, "We will wait for seven days and if the government doesn't reply, we will initiate legal proceedings. We have sent the notice to the government and minister through email."

The notice stated that, "You have committed breach of trust and cheating of the people by stating that the loans will be easily dispersed without guarantor and therefore it is necessitated to issue this legal notice."