Priority Sector Loans: Weaker Sections Eligibility

The question asks to identify which group, under the Weaker Sections category, is eligible for loans under the Priority Sector Loans scheme.

Analyzing Eligibility for Priority Sector Loans

Let's examine the options:

• Persons with no disabilities: This is a general description and doesn't specifically identify a group within the weaker sections eligible for priority sector loans.
• Medium and big Farmers: These are typically not classified under the 'Weaker Sections' category for priority sector lending purposes, although small and marginal farmers often are.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs): Self Help Groups are widely recognized as a key component of the weaker sections and are explicitly included in the priority sector lending guidelines, often focusing on financial inclusion and supporting vulnerable groups.
• Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit limits exceed ₹1 lakh: While artisans and cottage industries can be part of priority sector lending, the condition 'individual credit limits exceed ₹1 lakh' might disqualify certain units or make them less representative of the specific 'weaker sections' focus compared to SHGs.

Conclusion on Weaker Sections

Based on standard banking and financial inclusion definitions, Self Help Groups (SHGs) are a primary group considered under the weaker sections eligible for priority sector loans.