JAMMU, Nov 13: Reaffirming its commitment to the economic empowerment and social security of urban street vendors, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today organised a special outreach, awareness and felicitation programme under the nationwide ‘PM SVANidhi Mahotsav’ at the Gandhi Nagar Rehri Zone, Jammu.
The Mahotsav, being celebrated from October 15 to November 15, 2026, under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, in coordination with the Mission Directorate DAY-NULM, Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), J&K, aims to recognise the contribution of street vendors to the urban economy and strengthen their access to financial and social security benefits. JMC is among the 76 select cities across the country identified for the celebrations.
A large number of street vendors (rehri-patri operators) from Gandhi Nagar and adjoining areas participated in the programme, which provided a platform for direct interaction with JMC officials, representatives of partner banks and digital payment aggregators.
The event was attended by Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Ayushi Sudan, who presented mementos to outstanding street vendors, including women and Divyang vendors, in recognition of their entrepreneurial spirit, timely repayment of loans and efforts towards maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the vending zone. Interacting with the vendors, she urged them to keep their surroundings clean and hygienic and ensure that only safe, fresh and hygienically prepared products are supplied to the public. She emphasised that street vendors play an important role in the urban economy and that maintaining proper hygiene is essential for public health and consumer confidence.
The participants were sensitised about the benefits of the PM SVANidhi scheme, particularly the provision of collateral-free working capital loans in three progressive tranches of ₹10,000, ₹20,000 and ₹50,000. They were also informed about the interest subsidy benefits available on timely repayment. On-the-spot assistance was extended to eligible vendors for applying for fresh loans and availing higher loan tranches.
Emphasis was also laid on promoting digital financial transactions among street vendors. Representatives of banking institutions and digital payment aggregators demonstrated the use of UPI QR codes and soundboxes and explained the cashback incentives available for adopting digital payment facilities.
Under the ‘SVANidhi Se Samriddhi’ initiative, dedicated helpdesks facilitated the socio-economic profiling of street vendors and their family members to identify and connect eligible beneficiaries with eight Central Government welfare and social security schemes. These included PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), PM Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SYM), One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) registration.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from street vendors and served as an important initiative to bridge the gap between beneficiaries and institutional support systems. It highlighted the role of PM SVANidhi in facilitating access to affordable credit, encouraging digital transactions and extending the benefits of social welfare schemes to street vendors and their families.
Through such outreach initiatives, JMC continues to work towards strengthening the livelihood opportunities of street vendors, promoting financial inclusion and ensuring their greater integration into the formal urban economy.