PMMY
There is a huge population engaged in small business. They are basically just literate (neo-literate), some of them is even illiterate. They have no skill other than their business skill. These socio-economically backward people are mainly doing the business of vegetable, fish, meat, cloths and so forth with small capital in their locality. They lend their capital from private sources with high interest. In spite of payment of high interest, they earn a sizable profit from it. Sometimes, they borrow money from other sources like SHGs or Bandhan at low rate of interest with easy repayment system. For this they have no hazard in paper preparation.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan Yojana (PMMY) is said to be a dream Prime Minister that PMMY would 'Fund the unfunded'. Population engaged in small business would enjoy micro finance facility easily through this PMMY. It would also encourage many others for small business and unemployment problem would be gradually solved. There are various parameters for various amount of loan facilities in this Yojana.

But to get loan from it, there are a lot of hazards for required documents as scheduled by the bank.

Bank officials are strictly in their clerical attitude because without necessary documents they would not sanction any loan to the applicant. Their behaviour is very much skeptically interesting that they would sanction loan to them who have taken loans previously. They might be defaulter that is not a problem to them.

So, how the dream of prime minister would be fulfilled, if the facilities of PMMY do not reach to the actual beneficiaries (small business men). It is only an eye wash or compulsion in democracy for political benefits. It is like as 'to carry coal to new castle'. How long this democratic game would run?
Harashankar Adhikari,
Kolkata

Concert
Kolkata Youth Orchestra (KYO) was formed in 2011 with the aim to promote Western Classical music in India. The orchestra supports young musicians who would not otherwise get the opportunity to develop their talents and perform in public. There are over sixty musicians with Sanjib Mondol as the Founder and Conductor. KYO is supported by Calcutta Foundation, an NGO that supports social causes and makes financial contributions as needed. The orchestra members are mostly current and past students of Roger Music School and Oxford Mission, Behala. KYO strives to achieve higher level of musicianship and acquire professional skills in music performance, presenting ambitious and wide-ranging programmes throughout India. [The German Consulate General organised a classical musical concert in the century-old heritage premises of the Consulate at 1, Hatings Park Road, Alipore, Kolkata 700027, on 8 December 2017, at 6.30 pm.]
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Kolkata

Frontier
Vol. 50, No.27, Jan 7 - 13, 2017