Question : EMPLOYMENT SCHEMES BY KVIC

(a) whether the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has launched schemes to provide self employment to persons with disabilities and those belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities, backward classes living below poverty line;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of persons benefited under these schemes including in the State of Uttarakhand during each of the last three years, and the current year, State/Union Territory-wise

(c) whether the KVIC proposes to launch any scheme for the people living below poverty line in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI VIRBHADRA SINGH)

(a) & (b) Government in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been promoting self-employment ventures through setting up of new micro enterprises in non-farm sector. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), a credit-linked subsidy programme was launched in 2008-09 and is being implemented through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry. PMEGP is particularly aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises by organizing traditional artisans and unemployed youth, helping in preventing their migration besides increasing their earning capacity. At the State/Union Territories level, the scheme is implemented through field offices of KVIC, State/Union Territory Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industries Centres (DICs) with involvement of Banks. Under PMEGP, beneficiaries belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities, backward classes and persons with disabilities etc. are entitled to a higher rate of margin money assistance at the rate of 35 per cent in rural areas and 25 per cent in urban areas for projects costing up to Rs. 25 lakh each in the manufacturing sector and upto Rs. 10 lakh each in the service sector through the implementing agencies and loans from Banks, etc. The State-wise details of estimated number of employment opportunities created under PMEGP including Uttarakhand during last three years and current year is given at Annex. I.

(c) & (d) Government in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been implementing through KVIC a number of schemes for spinners and weavers in the khadi sector including those living below poverty line. Workshed scheme for khadi Artisans which was launched in 2008-09 to provide a decent work environment to the artisans by providing financial assistance for construction of workshed, is primarily meant for artisans living below poverty line. Also insurance cover is provided to khadi artisans under Janashri Bima Yojana with provision for stipend to the children of artisans as an add-on. Further, increased earning of artisans have also been aimed at in the recently launched Khadi Reform and Development Programme as well as Market Development Assistance Scheme.