Another expansion likely for guaranteed loan scheme; major leg-up for hospitals may be on cards

The Emergency Credit-Linked Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) of the government could be in for a major scale-up — to Rs 5 lakh crore from Rs 3 lakh crore at present.

Besides, the scope of the scheme is likely to be expanded to include hospitals with a view to ramping up health infra in the country, ToI reported citing sources.

The scale-up in size became necessary as loans under the scheme neared the original ceiling of Rs 3 lakh crore quicker than expected. The original ECLGS was limited to micro, small and medium enterprises, but had later been extended to a host of other sectors as well.


As part of the health ramp-up plan under ECLGS, both greenfield and brownfield hospitals will now be eligible for loans, the report cited the sources as saying.

Hospitals will be allowed to avail a maximum of Rs 100 crore in loans under ECLGS . Facilities in non-metro cities will also be eligible.

National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company will guarantee up to 75% of the funding in cases where a new hospital will be set up. For existing hospitals that are need of a scale-up, the guarantee would be 50%.

The Finance ministry is currently getting the clearances needed for the latest ECLGS expansion. The expanded ambit will come into force as soon as those clearances are availed.