(a) whether any scheme is being run to promote local production;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is considering to launch any scheme to provide self-employment to the migrant laborers who returned during the COVID-19 period; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
MINISTER FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI NITIN GADAKRI)
(a) to (d): Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and other Statutory Bodies implements schemes/programmes for the development of various village and traditional industries in rural as well as backward areas of the country. These industries besides encouraging local production also generate sustainable employment opportunities for the rural and urban unemployed youth. Major Schemes being implemented by the Ministry in this regard are as under:
1 Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme; PMEGP is a major 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 rural/urban unemployed youth. Beneficiary can avail loan up to Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector with Margin Money (MM) subsidy up to 35%. Since inception of scheme and up to 31.01.2021, a total of about 6.53 lakh micro enterprises have been assisted with an MM subsidy of Rs. 15,308.23 crore generating employment for an estimated 53.8 lakh persons.
2. Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries; SFURTI scheme supports traditional artisans and organize them in clusters for sustainable employment. Funds up to Rs.5 crore are provided for setting up Common Facility Centers, procuring new machineries, creating Raw Material Banks, marketing linkages, re-skilling, exposure visits, etc.
335 clusters have been approved till 31.01.2020 benefitting 1.98 lakh artisans with GoI assistance of Rs. 785 cr. 82 of these clusters have become functional.
3. Gramudyog Vikas Yojana (GVY): The Scheme focuses on promotion of village industries in (i) agro-based and food processing (including Honey Mission), (ii) mineral based (including Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Programme), (iii) wellness and cosmetic, (iv) handmade paper, leather and plastics, (v) rural engineering and (vi) services sector. Under Honey Mission, 14380 beneficiaries have been assisted with bee-boxes with bee-colonies, tool kits and training till 31.12.2020. Under Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Programme, equipments like electric pottery wheels, pug mill, etc. have been provided to 14515 potters till Nov.2020.
In addition, Ministry of MSME through KVIC has taken the following initiatives for providing employment opportunities to people including migrant workers under Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhyian (ABA) in 116 districts of 6 States:
• Under PMEGP, Margin Money amounting to Rs. 207.49 crore has been disbursed for setting up 5924 micro units.
• Under beekeeping/Honey Mission, 335 beneficiaries have been trained and 3350 bee colonies and toolkits have been distributed.
• Under Kumbhar Shashkatikaran Programme, 1000 potters have been trained and electric pottery wheels have been distributed.
State-wise list is enclosed at Annexure-I.