Nuwakot, Feb.
6: The Nepal Army has provided small loans worth Rs. 3.44 billion to 20,820
former and serving army personnel through its microfinance programme.
At the end of
the first six months of the current fiscal year 2017/18, the NA, in
collaboration with Nepal Investment Bank Limited, has provided microfinance
loans to 6,168 serving and 14,652 ex-army personnel.
“The NA has
successfully implemented the microfinance programme to support the sitting and
former army staff in entrepreneurship development. The programme has benefitted
army personnel as well as their families,” Chief of Army Staff General Rajendra
Chhetri said at the Ex-Army Conference at Maithali Barrack, Trishuli of Nuwakot
district.
He also said
that the NA’s Welfare Fund had increased to Rs. 42.69 billion, but only about
Rs. 4 billion had been invested in various projects.
According to
him, the army was trying to increase the access of the army personnel to the
fund in order to support in their education, health and self-employment.
Chhetri urged
the beneficiaries not to misuse the microfinance loan and promote
entrepreneurship in their locality as well.
Retired Lieutenant
General and Chief Executive Officer of the Welfare Fund said that the microfinance
programme had been very effective in promoting entrepreneurship.
Each
individual applying for the microfinance loan receives Rs. 100,000 to Rs.
700,000 to invest in a business.
CoAS Chhetri
felicitated Dal Bahadur Adhikari and Lila Kumari Adhikari, ex-army personnel
and spouse of the ex-army officer, both 99 years, on the occasion.
He distributed
wheelchairs to disabled family members of army personnel, and awarded the best
entrepreneurs.
A health camp
was organised on the occasion where 839 people from Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa
underwent health check-up.
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