Port Blair, Aug. 22: The Government of India has been implementing Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) with the objectives to generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas through setting up of new self-employment ventures, projects and micro enterprises. The purpose of the Scheme is for setting up of eligible viable activities under scheme. The nature of credit facility is term loan & cash credit facility only for new projects sanctioned specifically under the scheme.

Any individual, above 18 years of age are eligible under the scheme, there will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP. The beneficiaries should be at least VIII pass for setting up of project costing above Rs.10 lakhs in the manufacturing sector and Rs.5 lakhs in the business/service sector under the scheme. The rates of subsidy are 15% for the general category and 25% for the special category in urban area. Whereas 25% for the general category and 35% for the special category in rural area.  

The contribution of the beneficiaries is 10% for the General category and 5% for the special category. The maximum amount admissible under manufacturing sectors is Rs. 50 lakhs and under business/service sector is Rs. 20 lakhs. If the total project cost exceeds Rs. 50 lakhs or Rs. 20 Iakhs for Manufacturing and Service/Business sector respectively, the balance amount can be provided by Banks without subsidy.

The District Industries Centre, Middle Point, Port Blair is one of the Nodal Implementing Agency for PMEGP scheme in urban area of entire PBMC and in rural Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Nancowry Group of Islands. KVIB, Port Blair is implementing in rest of the areas. Interested applicants may submit online applications to the respective implementing agencies under the scheme at www.kviconline.gov.in. However, the applicant from remote areas and Islands can submit hard copies of the documents to the agencies to upload the same in website.

For further details, one may contact District Industries Centre or KVIB, Middle Point, Port Blair or over phone no 232601/233301.