By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, AUG 03, 2017: WHILE replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the MoS for MSME, Mr Giriraj Singh, said that the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible. For setting up of projects costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business /service sector, the beneficiaries should possess at least VIII standard pass educational qualification. General category beneficiaries can avail of margin money subsidy of 25 % of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as scheduled caste/scheduled tribe/OBC /minorities/women, ex-serviceman, physically handicapped, NER, Hill and Border areas etc. the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas.

The Scheme was launched during 2008-09. A total of 4.23 lakh micro enterprises have been assisted with a margin money subsidy of Rs 8695.27 crore providing employment to an estimated 35.48 lakh persons since 2008-09 till 2016-17 across the country including the State of Maharashtra.

Scheme and achieving the targets:

In order to streamline the process of application flow and fund flow and to bring in transparency and better financial management and to prevent parking of funds at Nodal bank level an online PMEGP-MIS web portal has been introduced. All applications and fund flow will be processed online in stipulated time frame.

Publicity is being made through print and electronic media, awareness camps at District level and State level are being organized in order to propagate the PMEGP scheme for the development of micro industries.

Exhibitions are also conducted at district/state/zone and national level for providing marketing support to the entrepreneurs/units.

For speedy completion of EDP training, these are being conducted through   Departmental Training Centres as well as RSETIs/RUDSETIs as per MOU executed between KVIC & MCR.

Industries such as Khadi, processing of Pashmina Wool, handloom and power loom units, value added products for tea, coffee, rubber etc. and transport activities are now eligible for funding under PMEGP.