12-Dec-2022: Loans under PMEGP

Ministry of MSME, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing, since 2008-09, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for generating self-employment opportunities in the country by setting up micro-enterprises in non-farm sector.  Loans under PMEGP are provided for manufacturing and service sector. Besides, following trading and business activities are also allowed under PMEGP:

1. Business / Trading activities in form of sales outlets in NER, Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts and A & N Islands.
2. Retail outlets/Business - selling of Khadi products, Village Industry products procured from Khadi and Village Industry Institutions certified by KVIC as well as products manufactured by PMEGP units and clusters set up under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) are also permitted under PMEGP across the country.
3. Retail outlets backed by Manufacturing (including processing) / Service facilities are permitted across the country.
4. The maximum cost of the project for Business / Trading activities covered under (i) and (ii) above is Rs.20 lakh.
5. Maximum 10% of the financial allocation in a year in a State may be used for Business / Trading activities covered under (i) and (ii) above.

4-Apr-2022: Employment Generated Under PMEGP

Ministry of MSME, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) for generating self-employment opportunities in the country by setting up micro-enterprises in non-farm sector.

In addition, KVIC is also implementing the following programmes to provide self-employment opportunities in rural and backward areas:

1. Honey Mission: Under this programme, bee boxes with bee colonies, tool kits and training are provided to supplement the income of farmers, Adivasis and rural youth as beekeepers.
2. Kumhar Sashaktikaran Programme: Under this programme, rural potters have been provided with new energy efficient equipment like Electric Pottery Wheels, Blungers, etc. along with training.

Ministry is also implementing following schemes for the promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) sector:

1. Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) to organize traditional industries and artisans in to collectives and provide them with sustainable employment with support in procurement of improved equipments, raw materials, construction of Common Facility Centres, training, design, and marketing support, etc.
2. Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP) to create Common Facility Centres, Infrastructure Development and Flatted Factory Complexes by organizing 20 or more industries of similar value chain into clusters.
3. Under Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), collateral free credit facility (term loan and/or working capital) is extended by lending institutions to new and existing micro and small enterprises, including retail activity. The guarantee cover provided under CGTMSE extends from 50% to 85% for credit up to Rs. 2 crore.

3-Feb-2022: PMEGP

Ministry of MSME is implementing Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) since 2008-09 through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) as nodal agency at the national level for generating employment opportunities in the country by setting up micro-enterprises in non-farm sector.

Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail of Margin Money subsidy of 25 % of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For Special Categories such as SC/ST/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.  Maximum project cost for manufacturing unit is Rs.25 lakh and for service sector is Rs.10 lakh.

Since its inception upto 31.12.2021, about 7.38 lakh new micro units have been assisted utilizing margin money subsidy of Rs.17819.23 cr. generating estimated employment opportunities for about 60.60 lakh persons.

The scheme has been successful in generating rural employment spread across various social categories. Around 80% of the PMEGP units have been set up in rural areas and about 50% of the units have been set up by SC/ST/Women entrepreneurs.

Following steps have been taken for the effective implementation of PMEGP:

1. The process of application flow, including bank sanctions and disbursement, has been made faster and transparent through introduction of on-line portal.
2. The process of selection of entrepreneurs has been further streamlined with the discontinuation of the role of District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) since April, 2020, in recommending proposals/applications to financing banks. In the revised scenario, the proposals are now sent directly by Implementing Agencies to financing banks based on a Score Card model, thereby reducing the overall approval period.
3. Organizing of Entrepreneurship Training Programme (EDP), mandatory before disbursal of loan by Banks, has been made online since October 2019 to provide expedited training and release of loan to the beneficiaries.
4. Free two day online pre- EDP training has been introduced for interested applicants.
5. The list of activities has been expanded to attract entrepreneurs for setting up diverse units.
6. Implementing Agencies like Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), State Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) and District Industries Centres (DICs) are providing handholding to applicants, through call centres, online tutorials as well as with help desks with banking and marketing experts.
7. Sector/industry wise webinars are also being organized every Sunday involving industry experts and banks with participation of more than 300,000 prospective applicants.

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7-Dec-2022: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Schemes

As per information provided by the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission, the issue of inclusion/exclusion in the use of Aadhaar for DBT Schemes has been examined from time to time. The DBT Mission has also issued the O.M. no. D-26011/04/2017-DBT dated 19th December, 2017 (copy at annexure) in this connection to all Central Ministries/Departments as well as to States/UTs.

The Department undertakes measures from time to time for building awareness about its schemes, including the processes and eligibility criteria, amongst beneficiaries/target groups.

23-Sep-2022: Direct Benefit Transfer biggest achievement of Government, freed people from shackles of middlemen: Former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

Former Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today unveiled the book Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas”, a collection of selected speeches of Prime Minister, along with Governor of Kerala Shri Arif Mohammed Khan and Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur in a function organized by Directorate of Publications Division. The book is a compilation of 86 speeches of the Prime Minister from May 2019 to May 2020 on various subjects.

Speaking on the occasion the former Vice President said that the book is a significant contribution to widen the understand of the challenges being faced by the nation and the concerted efforts being made to overcome them. The current government he said is working under the broader philosophy of ‘Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhawantu’. He further said that good schemes have been launched earlier also he said, but only the current Prime Minister, leading from the front, is ensuring all programmes adhere to set timelines and targets, he is hands on and ensures continuous monitoring and eventual delivery. With his gift of enormous communication skills, Shri Naidu said, PM Modi can connect with all the people of the country alike.

Shri Naidu recalled the time the vision of opening crores of bank accounts appeared unattainable, but under the able leadership of PM Modi, the target was achieved very quickly. Counting Direct Benefit Transfer as the biggest achievement of the Government, Shri Naidu said it freed people from the shackles of middlemen, ensuring endpoint delivery of welfare measures. When previously schemes were identified either as Government or political, PM Modi understood that realization of a goal depended hugely on the involvement of people. Swachch Bharat Abhiyan was thus envisioned by the Prime Minister as a Jan Andolan (people’s movement).

Shri Naidu summed up commenting that “for long people have said that India does not speak from a position of strength and stature. With the advent of PM Modi, India is now a force to reckon with and India’s voice is heard by all.”

Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan has said that a common thread runs through the book and that is the Prime Minister’s concern for marginalized section and women empowerment. He highlighted that the twin issues of availability of toilets and water connectivity had needed urgent Government intervention for very long but had been lagging even as many Governments came and went. It was the only the current Government that took up this mission on war footing from the beginning.

Speaking on triple talaq, he said that getting rid of this evil, which had been thriving for centuries, is no small achievement. Frustrating as it was, married Muslim women lived under constant threat of divorce. Recalling an anecdote when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had counted as his biggest failure, his inability to give Muslim women the same rights as Hindu women, Shri Mohammed said that the effect of this historic decision will be felt many years later when political and sociological thinkers analyse this decision and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be remembered as the emancipator of Muslim women. He credited the Prime Minister for braving all odds and opposition and yet delivering on this promise.

He further added that before PM Modi, development of the country was only the responsibility of the Government and its bureaucracy. However, PM Modi has ensured that development of the country becomes a programme of Jan Bhagidari, where people of the country become equal stakeholders in the process and the results, and this has realized the concept of true democracy.

Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur speaking about the book remarked that the book has compiled 86 speeches of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 10 chapters and elucidates his deep understanding of complex societal issues and his clear vision. The compilation, he said, is going to be very useful for future historians.

He further said that in these speeches, one can find his thoughts and his leadership on complicated national issues, which resulted in actions due to which India stands as the fifth largest economy in the world. It is these actions along with his passion to serve and ensure last mile delivery, bereft of middlemen, that have caused people to have unwavering faith in him.

Crediting Shri Narendra Modi for his uncanny ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Shri Thakur said that from students to women, from farmers to soldiers on the borders, from sportspersons to businessmen, anyone who listens to the Prime Minister can identify with his speeches and various international surveys have called PM Modi the most favorite Prime Minister in the world. Powerful world leaders have delved in detail on what it means to be Narendra Modi.

This book contains his speeches on foreign relations, his thoughts on the economy and his consideration to restoration of our cultural heritage such at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kedarnath Dham, Ayodhya, Deoghar etc. The book, he said, will inform the reader on his ideas on India’s environment and the steps taken to create a green India, achievements of various Ministries, mainstreaming of fitness, Yoga and sports, achievements of the Government in the field of science and technology, agriculture and agro-businesses, employment, from Gramoday to Rashtroday, India’s journey to becoming self-reliant.

This book is an encyclopedia of Shri Narendra Modi’s ideas on various Government schemes. In this compilation, readers will find speeches given on historical occasions - such as the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha, the speech given on the completion of 100 years of ASSOCHAM, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh after the removal of Article 370 on 8 August 2019. His address to the nation, message given to the nation on 19 March 2020 regarding Covid, address given at the launch of Fit India Movement, his message to the nation after the Supreme Court's decision on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya etc.

The Minister said that the book has a response to the catastrophic prophecies by various political leaders who had said that India will not be able to survive the abrogation of Article 370, that not one person would hoist the Indian tricolour in Kashmir. Today Har Ghar Tiranga campaign has seen equal success in Kashmir as in other parts of the country and Kashmir is witnessing development like never before.

Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Apurva Chandra, Director General, Directorate of Publications Division, Ms Monideepa Mukherjee and several other senior officers of different media units of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.

About the book Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas’

The book focuses on 86 speeches of the Prime Minister from May 2019 to May 2020 on various subjects. Divided into ten thematic areas, these speeches reflect the PM’s vision for ‘New India’. These well-distributed sections are – Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Economy, People-First Governance, Fight Against Covid-19, Emerging India: Foreign Affairs, Jai Kisan, Tech India-New India, Green India-Resilient India-Clean India, Fit India-Efficient India, Eternal India-Modern India: Cultural Heritage, and Mann ki Baat.

The book portrays the PM’s vision of a new India, which is self-reliant, resilient and capable of converting challenges into opportunities. The Prime Minister combines leadership qualities, visionary thinking, and foresight with excellent communication abilities to connect with masses through his exceptional oratory style. The same is reflected in this book.

The English as well as Hindi books are available at the sales outlets of Publications Division and the Books Gallery at Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi. They can also be purchased online through Publications Division’s website as well as Bharatkosh platform. The e-books are also available on Amazon and Google Play.

10-May-2021: Rs 49,965 crore transferred directly into farmers’ account across India (DBT)

The Secretary, Department of Food & Public Distribution Shri Sudhanshu Pandey today briefed the media persons about PMGKAY-3 and One Nation One Ration Card scheme through a virtual press conference. Speaking about the “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana” (PM-GKAY III), the Secretary said that the department started implementation of  “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana” (PM-GKAY III) for two months period i.e. May and  June 2021 in same pattern as earlier by providing an additional quota of free-of-cost foodgrains (Rice/Wheat) at a scale of 5 Kg per person per month, over and above their regular monthly NFSA entitlements to about 80 Crore beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA, namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Householders (PHH). The Government of India will bear all expenditure of over Rs 26,000 Crore on account of food subsidy and Central assistance to states/UTs on account of intrastate transportation etc.

While briefing the media, Shri Pandey informed that the distribution of food grains is going as per schedule for the month of May, 2021.  He said as on 10thMay 2021, 15.55 LMT of food grains have been lifted from FCI depots by the 34 States/UTs for the month of May 2021 and over 1 Lakh MT has been distributed to over 2 Crore beneficiaries by 12 states/UTs. he said that almost all States/UTs have indicated action plan to complete the distribution of PMGKAY-III Foodgrains, for the months of May and Jun 2021, by the end of June 2021.

He further said that the Department is continuously reviewing the scheme and pursuing with all States/UTs to give wide publicity and to ensure timely distribution of PM-GKAY III Foodgrains in a transparent manner through ePoS devices after following all safety protocols relating to COVID -19 pandemic, as per advisories issued. VC meetings were held with Food Secretaries/ representatives of States/UTs by Secretary (DoFPD) on 26th April 2021 and by Joint Secretary (BP,PD) on 5th May 2021 to strategize and review the progress of foodgrains distribution.

Emphasising the importance of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ (ONORC), Secretary, D/o Food & Public Distribution shared that it is an ambitious plan and endeavour of the Department to introduce the nation-wide portability of ration cards under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA). This aims to empower all migrant beneficiaries to seamlessly access their NFSA foodgrains/benefits anywhere in the country. Presently, this system is seamlessly enabled in 32 States/UTs, covering about 69 Crore beneficiaries (86% NFSA population) in these States/UTs.

Shri Pandey said that ONORC is now enabled in 32 States/ UTs. He said that monthly average of about 1.5 to1.6 Crore potability transactions are being recorded under ONORC. Shri Pandey informed that more than 26.3 Crore portability transactions (including intra-state transactions) have taken place all across these States/UTs, Since the inception of this scheme in August, 2019, out of which almost 18.3 Crore portability transactions have been recorded during the Covid-19 period of April, 2020 to April 2021 itself. He further informed that Given the potential of One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) plan to ensure the access to NFSA foodgrains to Migrant NFSA beneficiaries during the COVID-19 crisis, this department has been continuously pursuing with States/UTs through VC meetings/advisories/letters etc. to implement the programme to its full potential by proactively reaching out to the migrant beneficiaries. These States/UTs have been requested to undertake wide-spread publicity and awareness of the ONORC plan, 14445 toll-free number and ‘Mera Ration’ Mobile application that was recently developed by Department in association with NIC for the benefit of NFSA beneficiaries, specifically the migrant NFSA beneficiaries, in nine different languages viz. English, Hindi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati. Efforts are afoot to include more regional languages in the Mera Ration App, going forward.

As the procurement in Rabi Marketing Season 2021-22 is going on smoothly, Shri Pandey informed that as on 9th May, 2021 total 337.95 LMT wheat has been procured, as compared to 248.021 LMT wheat has been procured during last year on corresponding day. He further informed that around 34.07 Lakh farmers have been benefitted so far against 28.15 lakh last year as on date. He said procurement has undertaken through 19,030 purchase centres across India. He said Haryana and Punjab also switched from indirect payment of MSP to direct online transfers of benefit to farmers, farmers are now receiving direct benefits against sale of their crops without any delay across the country.

The Secretary informed that out of total DBT payment of Rs 49,965 crore so far transferred directly into farmers’ account across India on account of wheat procurement. He further informed that Rs 21,588 Crore in Punjab and about Rs 11,784 Crore in Haryana has been transferred directly into farmers’ account.

Shri Pandey said that in view of resurgence of Covid, with the objective to make wheat and rice stocks easily available in open market, Government of India has liberalised OMSS(D) policy for the year 2021-22. It is informed that the Sale of food grains under OMSS(D) has started in non- procuring States and 2800 MT have been sold so far.

It is also informed that during Covid-19 pandemic, around 928.77 LMT of foodgrains, 363.89 LMT of wheat and 564.88 LMT of rice have been issued from central pool during 1.4.2020 to 31.3.2021for distribution.

While replying to a question about price rise of edible oils, Shri Pandey said that price of edible oils is being monitored closely by the government. He said due to covid condition some stocks are stuck at ports due to clearance relating tests by various agencies, the problem is now addressed and soon stocks will be released in the market and this will show softening impact on oil prices.

While answering another question about sugar subsidy, Shri Pandey informed that detailed review with sugar and ethanol industry have been going on. He said, we have achieved blending target of 7.2 % this year and we are trying to achieve 8.5 % blending target by the end of this year. He said, as of now 11 states in the country already achieved the blending target of 9-10 %, while rest of the states are working on it.