About Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP):
- Launched in August 2008, PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
- It is a central sector scheme.
- PMEGP aims to generate employment opportunities through the establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector for rural as well as urban areas.
- Implementing Agency:
- The scheme is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) functioning as the nodal agency at the national level.
- At the state level, the scheme is implemented through State KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs), District Industries Centres (DICs), and banks.
- Benefits:
- Bank-financed subsidy program for setting up new micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector.
- Margin money subsidy on bank loans ranges from 15% to 35% for projects up to Rs. 50 Lakh in manufacturing and Rs. 20 Lakh in the service sector.
- The remaining portion of the cost can be provided by the lending institution as a regular loan.
- For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as SC/ST/WomenPH/ Minorities/Ex-Servicemen/NER, the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas.
- Eligibility:
- Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible.
- There will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP.
- Beneficiaries should possess at least an VIII standard pass educational qualification for setting up of projects costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business/service sector.
- Self Help Groups (including those belonging to BPL provided that they have not availed benefits under any other Scheme), institutions registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, Production Co-operative Societies, and, Charitable Trusts are also eligible for assistance under PMEGP.
- Existing units that have already availed government subsidy under any other scheme of the Government of India or State Government are not eligible.
About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- It is a statutory body established under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956.
- It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India.
- The KVIC is charged with the planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
