Surat, May 15 – In a significant step to shield economically weaker sections from the exploitation of loan sharks, Surat City Police, under the guidance of Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, organized a special “Loan Mela” aimed at providing easy access to formal credit through banks. The initiative seeks to offer financial relief and empowerment to laborers, street vendors, and low-income citizens who often fall prey to informal and usurious lending practices.
The event, held at Bhathena Community Hall under the jurisdiction of Udhna Municipal Corporation, was conducted under the leadership of DCP Zone-2 and in collaboration with Sutex Cooperative Bank. As per agency report, 22 beneficiaries were instantly sanctioned loans up to Rs. 1 lakh, with cheques distributed on the spot. Additionally, the loan application process is underway for around 100 more applicants who attended the event.
Senior city officials including DCP Bhagirath Singh Gadhvi, ACP Chirag Patel, police inspectors from six local stations, and other staff participated in the mela. Prominent industrialists Jitubhai Vakharia and Kamal Vijay Tulsiyan were also present along with representatives from Sutex Bank.
This initiative follows a broader crackdown by Gujarat Police on illegal moneylending activities, initiated on the instructions of the State Home Minister. As a result, many loan sharks have gone into hiding, prompting authorities to create sustainable financial alternatives for vulnerable populations.
The mela attracted a wide range of participants including women, vegetable vendors, small-scale entrepreneurs, and daily wage earners. Police Commissioner Gehlot personally handed over the sanctioned loan cheques to beneficiaries and encouraged citizens in need of financial assistance to reach out directly to the police.
He assured that police will continue to coordinate with banks and financial institutions to ensure that the city’s underprivileged receive access to structured and legal credit services. The program is being viewed as a model for financial empowerment and a strong deterrent against illegal lending networks.
