Unemployment in India has been a barrier to significant growth in the economy. There have been various reasons for unemployment such as increasing population, Slow economic growth, and slow growth of the Industrial sector. The unemployment rate has increased from 7.8% to 8.11% from March to April 2023.
Indian Government has been initiating numerous schemes and programs to address the issue since 2005. These initiatives aim to promote skill development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and rural employment. It has launched Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Skill India Mission, Make in India, Start-up India, Pradhan Manti Mudra Yojana, National Career Service, and Digital India. These efforts have been significantly effective in reducing unemployment rates and fostering economic growth.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a central sector scheme launched in 2008 by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). It has been introduced by merging two schemes namely Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP). It is a credit-linked subsidy Programme.
The scheme will be implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) as a single nodal agency at a national level. At state levels, State KVIC Directorate, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industries Centre (DICs), and banks implement the scheme.
Under this scheme, the government offers subsidies to people who are looking for financial assistance regarding their new business projects. The government offers up to 30% cost of the total project expenses. The maximum cost that can be provided is up to Rs. 20 lakhs under the business/service sector and up to Rs. 50 lakhs under the manufacturing sector.
For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as SC, ST, OBC, Minorities, Women, Ex-servicemen, Physically handicapped, NER Hill, and Border areas, margin money subsidy is up to 25% for Urban and up to 35% for rural is given. For the general category, margin money subsidy is up to 25% in rural areas and up to 15% in urban areas.
This scheme is only for new projects sanctioned under PMEGP.
For projects that cost above Rs. 10 lakhs under the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakhs under the business/service sector, the beneficiary must possess qualifications up to the 8th class.
Self-help groups are also eligible for assistance under PMEGP.
Institutes registered under Societies Registration Act 1860.
Production Co-operative Societies
Charitable trust.
Existing Units and the units that have already availed of Government Subsidy under any other scheme of the Government of India or State Government are not eligible.
Levels of Support under PMEGP:
Categories of Beneficiaries:
Beneficiary’s Contribution:
Subsidy:
General Category
10%
Urban 15% and Rural 25%
Special Category
05%
Urban 25% and Rural 35%
How to Apply for PM Employment Generation Programme?
Application for PMEGP can be applied online through the official website. The steps are given below:
Click on “Login Form for Registered Applicant”. You will see ID and password blanks.
Enter the ID and Password, you received on the mobile number.
Click on “View Status” and you can see the updated status of your application.
Required Documents:
The following documents are required when applying for a PMEGP loan application:
Passport sized photographs
Candidate’s identity such as Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License BPL Card, or any other government-related photo ID card
Address proofs such as Aadhar Card, Passport, electricity Bills, Water supply Bills, Passbook
Qualification certificate
Certificate for SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Ex[1]Servicemen/PHC
Income proofs such as Income caste certificate, salary slips, bank statements
Project report. It must include all the details regarding the project such as the Address of the business implementation, Property papers, market analysis Business Ideas
Business-related documents such as registration certificates, licenses, permits, and any relevant documents
Bank account details such as Bank name, Account number, IFSC Code, Branch name, etc.
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is a government-backed pension scheme designed for workers in the unorganized sector who lack statutory pension plans. The scheme, launched in 2015, encourages people to save for their retirement and provides financial stability in old age. It offers a guaranteed pension, tax benefits, death benefits, and an exit option, making it an attractive option for those in the informal sector.
Namo Drone Didi Yojana, launched by the Government of India, aims to empower rural women by providing them with agricultural drones and the necessary training to operate them. This initiative under the Sashakt Nari Viksit Bharat program seeks to modernize agricultural practices, increase productivity, and contribute to the new agricultural revolution in India. The scheme focuses on enhancing the financial autonomy and economic empowerment of women, especially those from lower economic groups, through the use of drone technology.
Objective:
Help rural women by giving them agricultural drones and training.
Update farming methods to boost productivity.
The Namo Drone Didi scheme provides 15,000 women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones and training to perform tasks such as crop monitoring, fertilizer spraying, and seed sowing.
The scheme is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, and the Department of Fertilizers to ensure holistic interventions and efficient implementation.
The selection of eligible SHGs and feasible clusters is based on criteria to maximize the impact of the scheme, with financial assistance and loans provided to the SHGs for drone purchases.
Lead Fertilizer Companies act as intermediaries, procuring drones and transferring ownership to the SHGs, while also promoting the use of Nano Fertilizers.
Drone technology is transforming the Indian agriculture sector, enabling precision agriculture, resource optimization, and improved efficiency and safety for farmers.
The integration of drones in agriculture represents a significant step towards a more sustainable, efficient, and data-driven agricultural future in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has interacted with the Namo Drone Didis and distributed drones to 1,000 beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries:
15,000 women-led Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Only SHGs women from lower economic groups can participate.
In order to further sustainable development and people’s well-being the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aims to light up 1 crore households by providing up to 300 units of free electricity every month.
The Government of India launched the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (Prime Minister’s Solar Home: Free Electricity Scheme) on February 13, 2024. The objective of this scheme is to install rooftop solar power plants in one crore (10 million) households across the country. The total financial outlay for this initiative is Rs. 75,021 crore (approximately $10.3 billion).
The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a significant step towards the Government of India’s goal of promoting renewable energy and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. By installing rooftop solar plants in one crore households, the scheme aims to increase the adoption of clean energy and improve the energy access for millions of people across India.
The scheme is designed to provide free electricity to the beneficiary households, making it accessible and affordable for a large section of the population. The scheme would be implemented through the National Portal https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in. The subsidy/CFA under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana would be applicable to all applications submitted on the portal on or after 13-02-2024.
Praveen Nagar from Delhi not only efficiently utilized his rooftop but was also able to improve his lifestyle by signing up for PM – Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. When are you going the solar way?
Goal: Get 1 crore (100 million) homes to use solar power on their roofs.
Help: Provide free or low-cost electricity to 1 crore (100 million) homes, up to 300 units of electricity per month, by installing solar panels on their roofs.
Electricity Generation: The installed solar power will produce 1,000 billion units of renewable electricity. This will help reduce 720 million tons of carbon dioxide (a harmful gas) over the 25-year lifetime of the solar projects.
Building the Solar Ecosystem: Develop everything needed to make solar power work, like new laws, factories to make solar parts, a network of suppliers, and places to maintain and repair the solar systems.
Benefits: Boost the local economy, create more jobs, and make the country’s energy supply more secure.
How to Apply for PM – Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
