The 53rd meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Minorities Finance and Development Commission (HPMFDC) was held today under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil. During the meeting, the board reviewed the ongoing initiatives and schemes being implemented by the Commission for the welfare of minority communities in the state.
The Health Minister stated that the response towards the awareness camps conducted across various districts in order to inform and educate minority communities about the benefits of various schemes being implemented by the HPMFDC were highly encouraging. The HPMFDC offers various facilities for minority communities including term loans upto a maximum of Rs. 30 lakhs for tourism and agriculture or agriculture related activities, traditional, artisan, technical or small businesses and for transport and service sectors. The works include opening, strengthening or expansion of general store, restaurant, cloth shop, dairy unit, medical shop, computer shop, tent house, barber shop, tube well, beekeeping and taxi among others. The corporation also offers Education loan upto a maximum of 20 lakhs, loans for self-help groups and loans to buy machinery and equipment etc, added the Minister.
Dr. Shandil emphasized the importance of deeper community engagement to ensure that maximum benefits of the schemes reach the minority communities. He added, "The Minority associations should be actively involved to ensure better outreach and effective implementation. Through their involvement, the information gap would narrow down, maximising the benefits of various developmental schemes."
A total of Rs. 8.71 crores were distributed by the corporation to 150 beneficiaries in the fiscal 2024-25. Another Rs. 4.37 crores were distributed to 65 Divyangjans by the Himachal Pradesh Divyang Finance and Development Corporation (HPDFDC). As on 31st March, 2025 the HPMFDC disbursed loans worth Rs. 106.56 crore to 3635 beneficiaries and the HPDFDC has disbursed Rs. 64.05 crore to 1962 beneficiaries. The majority of the beneficiaries under HPMFDC belong to Sirmaur (1590) followed by Shimla (589), Solan (390), Chamba (315), Bilaspur (286), Mandi (253), Kullu (56), Kangra (43), Una (38), Kinnaur (18), Lahaul Spiti (11) and Hamirpur (8).
The Board discussed and approved various agendas, including adoption of revenue budget for the fiscal 2025-26, appointment of internal and statutory auditors to ensure transparency and accountability, appointment of directors.
Dr. Shandil reiterated the government's commitment to inclusive growth and the empowerment of all sections of society, especially minorities, through dedicated and result-oriented efforts.
Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, Ashish Singhmar, Managing Director HPMFDC Manoj Kumar, Director, ESOMSA, Sumit Khimta, Special Secretary (Finance) Vijay Wardhan and members of Board of directors were present at the occasion.
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