MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a) & (b): Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has not launched any scheme for providing
self-employment specifically to the handicapped, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward
and the people living below the poverty line in the country. However, KVIC is implementing a credit-linked
subsidy programme named Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) from 2008-09 for generating
self-employment through establishment of micro-enterprises in the 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 beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes,
OBCs, minorities, women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, beneficiaries belonging to NER, hill and
border areas, etc., the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. There is no
income ceiling for assistance under PMEGP. Below Poverty Line is also included in the scheme, subject to
meeting the prescribed eligibility conditions. The maximum cost of project is Rs. 25 lakh in the
manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector. The State-wise number of units assisted
under PMEGP during the last three years is given at Annex.
(c): No, Madam.
(d): Does not arise.
