Loans For Defence Personnel And Widows

SBI Shaurya Home Loan

The SBI Shaurya Home loan is a loan product tailored to meet the needs of individuals in the Indian Army or Defence Forces. The loan scheme offers lower interest rates and other special benefits to defence personnel on the regular home loan product. The key features and concessions available under the scheme are as follows –

• The loan is available only to employees of the Indian Army or Defence Forces.
• Interest charged on the loan is 5% below the regular interest rate charged by SBI.
• No processing fees are applicable on loans to defence personnel and other individuals eligible under the scheme.
• The maximum loan term is 30 years or age 75 of applicant – whichever is earlier.
• The applicant has the option to switch to SBI Shaurya Home Loan from other loan schemes and avail of the special benefits.

While all regular loan and other financial products are available to defence personnel and persons working in the Indian Army, Navy, Air force, or other paramilitary forces, these loan products offer special privileges to such individuals in an effort to ease the burden of repayment bearing in mind the fact that they put their lives at risk for the country.

Loans for Widows

Perhaps the worst experience of life is losing a beloved life partner. In India particularly, where you can still see glimpses of the patriarchal society, life can be difficult for widows – both financially as well as emotionally.

Keeping this fact in mind, banks and NBFCs have designed loan products specifically for women. The loans help widows set up a business or tide over difficult times until such time they can take up gainful employment and adapt to the new circumstances.

Here are some of the loans for widows offered by banks and other financial institutions.

Udyogini Scheme for Women Entrepreneurship

Udyogini is an initiative of the Government of India for the welfare of women. Managed by the Women Development Corporation, the scheme seeks to make women self-reliant and financially independent. Loans are offered - under the scheme - for women to set-up and manage a business independently. Currently the scheme is available in the State of Karnataka only and is run and managed by the Karnataka State Women Development Corporation (KSWDC). Key features of the scheme include –

• Provision of interest free loans to women
• Loans granted for 88 small industries – businesses – including fishing, pickle trade, bakery, beauty parlor, grocery, STD booths, among others.
• A maximum of INR 3,00,000 will be available as loan.
• An evaluation of the beneficiary and her assets will be conducted prior to granting the loan.
• Currently there exists an income ceiling of 1.5 lakh.
• Women above 55 years of age are not eligible.
• Minimum age is 18 years.
• Upper limit of income may be waived for women from certain categories.

SEMFEX (Self-Employment Schemes for Ex-Servicemen) and Widows

This scheme has been launched by the Directorate General Resettlement and supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Key features include –

• Loans given by banks for the specific purpose of agriculture and farming related activities such as purchase of poultry, irrigation, sheep rearing activities, fisheries, horticulture and similar activities, will be refinanced by NABARD.
• Small Scale Industries (SSI), cottage industries, and activities related to handicrafts, biogas, and village industries in rural areas will also be supported.
• An amount of 10,000 to 1,00,000 will be available as loan under the scheme.
• Interest ranges between 8.5 to 10.5 percent per annum.
• Interest Subsidy may be granted on application after completion of the project for which loan has been granted.

Losing a loved one is devastating under any circumstances – but it is heart wrenching for women who are dependent on their husbands for their livelihood and sustenance. Loans for widows can help such women tide over the period of financial setback, establish themselves, and support their family by becoming financially independent after the death of the husband.