Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
The PMEGP combines the Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojna (PMRY) with the Rural Employment Generation Programme. Its mission is to promote self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth and traditional artisans by building microbusinesses in the non-farm sector. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) oversees the project at the national level, while State KVIC Directorates, District Industries Centres (DICs), and banks do so at the state level.
Eligibility: Must be over 18 years of age.
For manufacturing projects above Rs. 10 lakh and business/service projects exceeding Rs. 5 lakh, a least eighth-grade education pass is required. This applies only to new projects. Self-help organisations, organisations formed under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, production-based cooperative societies, and charitable trusts are also eligible.
Assistance: The maximum project cost is Rs. 25 lakh for manufacturing and Rs. 10 lakh for the service industry.
Subsidy rates for the general category are 15% in cities and 25% in rural areas, while for the special category they are 25% in cities and 35% in the countryside.
Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
The Ministry of MSME and SIDBI formed CGTMSE to give credit guarantees to MSMEs, allowing financial institutions to lend without collateral.
Eligibility: New and existing MSMEs.
Applicants contact banks and financial institutions.
Assistance comprises 85% guarantee coverage for microenterprises up to Rs. 5 lakh, 75% for others, and 50% for retail operations.
In the case of a default, the trust would refund up to 75% of the outstanding amount for loan facilities of up to Rs. 200 lakh.
Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS)
CLCSS offers a 15% subsidy for technical improvements in MSMEs, supporting the use of cutting-edge technology.
Eligibility: MSMEs, except those updating existing equipment with the same technology or utilising second-hand machinery.
Assistance: 15% upfront capital subsidy for institutional financing of up to Rs. 1 crore.
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt (CGSSD).
CGSSD aids stressed MSMEs’ promoters by providing subordinate loans that may be reinvested as equity to enhance liquidity and maintain the debt-equity ratio.
Eligibility: operational MSMEs that have been categorised as NPA or stressed by April 30, 2020.
Promoters may access credit equal to 15% of their equity or Rs. 75 lakh, whichever is lower.
The programme provides 90% coverage, with the promoter providing 10%. The maximum repayment time is ten years, with a seven-year freeze on principal payments.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s several credit programmes, including PMEGP, CGTMSE, CLCSS, and CGSSD, provide essential financial help to MSMEs. These initiatives assist MSMEs overcome financial restrictions, promote technology adoption, and ensure long-term success. MSMEs may use these initiatives to strengthen their operations, contribute significantly to the economy, and achieve long-term success.
