West Bengal Government Schemes for WBCS Interview
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2016 8:02 pmKanyashree
Rationale
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA), 18 is the legal age of marriage for girls, and 21 for boys in India. Despite several years of this Act being in existence, the early marriage of children continues to be practiced in West Bengal. According to DLHS -3, 2007-08, the state ranked fifth highest in the country when it came to the prevalence of child marriage, with almost every second girl a child bride (54.7%). Although more pervasive in rural areas, statistics revealed than even in non-slum areas of Kolkata, more than a quarter of girls are married before they reach adulthood.
Child marriage is a gendered practice, affecting far more girls than boys. It is perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse of minor girls, and has a negative impact on their health and the health of their children, leaves them financially and socially disempowered, and vulnerable to child labour, trafficking and other forms of exploitation. In fact, the districts with the highest incidence of child marriage in West Bengal are also those where trafficking is rampant.
Child marriage and school drop-outs go hand in hand. In West Bengal, attendance of girls in school drops from 85% in the age-group 6-10 years to a mere 33% in the age group 15-17 years (NFHS III, 2005-06). After the implementation of free and universal elementary education in India, progress in enrollment and completion of elementary school has been noticed, however, the transition from elementary to secondary school remains a concern. Secondary education is not free, and many impoverished parents, failing to see the economic rationale for investing in their daughters education, marry them off at this age in the belief that this will enhance the girl's and the family's security. This step however, condemns the girls to a life of financial and social insecurity. Field studies show that most women have to take up some economic activity in later years, and that their lack of qualifications and work experience makes them ill-equipped for the labour market, and therefore susceptible to poverty and exploitation throughout life. As a result, poverty, a factor that fuels child marriage, in turn perpetuates the feminization of poverty.
After the enactment of the PCMA 2006, the Department of Women Development and Social Welfare and Child Development (DWD) implemented anti-child marriage campaigns spreading the message of prevention, and endorsing enforcement of the law and its penal provisions for adults aiding and abetting child marriage,. However it quickly became evident that legal prohibition and social messaging are largely ineffective in addressing child marriage. For one, India's multiplicity of formal and religious laws complicates the issue of what constitutes the 'appropriate' age of marriage for girls. Secondly, because the practice is ascribed to time-honoured tradition and is justified from a patriarchal perspective as essential for protection of girls from the 'evils of society', eradicating it requires tangible drivers of social change that can transform victims made vulnerable by their age and gender into actors determining their own lives.
Objectives
Kanyashree Prakalpa seeks to improve the status and wellbeing of girls, specifically those from socio-economically disadvantaged families through Conditional Cash Transfers by:
Incentivizing them to continue in education for a longer period of time, and complete secondary or higher secondary education, or equivalent in technical or vocational steams, thereby giving them a better footing in both the economic and social spheres.
Disincentivising marriage till at least the age of 18, the legal age of marriage, thereby reducing the risks of early pregnancies, associated risks of maternal and child mortality, and other debilitating health conditions, including those of malnutrition.
It was also decided that the Scheme should confer more than just monetary support; it should be a means of financial inclusion and a tool of empowerment for adolescent girls. The scheme's benefits are therefore paid directly to bank accounts in the girls' names, leaving the decision of utilization of the money in their hands.
To reinforce the positive impact of increased education and delayed marriages, the scheme also works to enhance the social power and self-esteem of girls through a targeted behaviour change communication strategy. The communication strategy not only builds awareness of the scheme, but includes adolescent-friendly approaches like events, competitions and Kanyashree clubs, and the endorsement of strong women figures as role models to promote social and psychological empowerment.
As more and more girls remain in school, it is envisaged that they will use the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge that will help them become economically independent. Even if girls do get married soon after they turn 18, it is expected that their education and enhanced social and emotional development will give them a better foundation for in their adult lives. And over time, as entire generations of women enter marriages only after they have some degree of economic independence, it is expected that the practice of child marriage is completely eradicated, and women will attain their right to health, education and socio-economic equality.
Kanyashree’s core objectives are simple and focussed: it aims to ensure that girls stay in school and delay their marriages till at least age 18. Kanyashree’s approach is also simple: it uses a social safety net mechanism that has shown a high degree of success in transforming the lives of children and adolescents in several countries in the world: Conditional Cash Transfers. The scheme has two cash transfer components:
The first is an Annual Scholarship of Rs. 750/- to be paid annually to the girls in the age group 13 to 18 years (studying in Class VIII equivalent or above for every year that they remained in education, provided they are unmarried at the time.
The second is a One-Time Grant of Rs. 25,000/-, to be paid after a girl turns 18, provided that she was engaged in an academic or occupational pursuit and was unmarried.
The term ‘education’ encompasses secondary and higher secondary education, as well as the various vocational, technical and sports courses available for this age group. Given that children from socio-economically disadvantaged families are more vulnerable to child marriage, the scheme is open only to girls from families whose annual income is Rs. 1,20,000/- or less. For girls with special needs, orphans and girls in J. J. Homes the income criterion is waived. Girls with special needs, but in a class below class VIII, can also apply for the annual scholarship.
National and International Recognitions
Kanyashree Prakalpa has received national and international recognition for its design and features of good governance.
Awards received:
West Bengal Chief Minister's Award for Empowerment of Girls, 2014
Manthan Award for Digital Inclusion for Development (South Asia and Asia Pacific) 2014 under the category E-Women and Empowerment.
National E-governance Award 2014 – 2015 awarded by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India.
Skoch Award and Order of Merit 2015 for Smart Governance.
CSI-Nihilent Award, 2014-15.
United Nations WSIS Prize 2016 Champion in e-Government Category (WSIS Action Line C7)
The Scheme was appreciated as a good practice at:
The "Girls' Summit" organized by DFID and UNICEF (London, July 2014).
Consultation on "Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancies" organized Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Delhi, March 2015).
Consultation on "Empowerment of Adolescent Girls" organized by the World Bank (Ranchi, May 2015).
National Workshop on "Conditional Cash Transfers for Children: Experiences of States in India" organized by NITI Aayog, India (Delhi, December 2015).
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Enclave organized by U. S. Consulate & Shakti Vahini (Siliguri, February 2016).
Total Kanyashree Beneficiary: 32,84,188 as on 05/06/2016
Swanirbhar
It is commonly believed, and not without reasons, that despite being intellectually more sound, well-informed and career-conscious, today’s youth of this state often lack the zeal, industriousness and foresight that make a person enterprising. It is, therefore, necessary to create awareness to inculcate in them the values of creativity, excellence, innovation, leadership and independence assuming, hopefully, that these values will inspire them to select an independent innovative career option and excel in the chosen career. In other words, the need of the day is to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship into the psyche of the present generation of West Bengal through teaching, training and extending opportunities. With this end in view the Government of West Bengal came up with the scheme 'SWAMI VIVEKANANDA KARMASANSTHAN PRAKALPA’ with the single most important mission to spearhead entrepreneurship movement throughout the state with the conviction that entrepreneurs need not necessarily be born, but can be developed through well-conceived and well-directed activities.
Swami Vivekananda Karmasansthan Prakalpa is a scheme to generate self-employment in the urban & rural areas of the state through promotion of tiny scale units of production, manufacturing, trade, service or any other sector including agro-based industries, floriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry other than direct agriculture.
There are two schemes under SVSKP-
1) Atma Maryada – For individual entrepreneur.
2) Atma Samman – for group entrepreneur.
The scheme came into effect from the financial year 2000-01. it has been extended to rural areas from 2006-07.
* Nos. of Schemes in Operation 136509 Nos.
* Total Project Cost 2918 Crores
* Govt. Subsidy 667 Crores
* Bank Loan 959 Crores
* Entrepreneur's Contribution 292 Crores
* Loan amount Recovered 611 Crores
* Nos. of cases fully recovered 10820 Nos.
* Nos. of employment generated 341273 Heads
The Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal having its registered office at 142, Lenin Sarani, Ground Floor, Kolkata-700013 was constituted by the Government of West Bengal under the administrative control of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of West Bengal by Notification No. 870YS/O/1S-08/2004 dated 08.12.2004 and was registered un The Societies Registration Act XXVI of 1961.
The Registration Number of the Society is S/IL/26674 of 2004-2005.
Object of the Society
(A) Main objects of the Society:
(i) To promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities by sponsoring, implementing, administering, supervising and monitoring self-employment programmes for the urban youth as may be devised by the Society or transferred to the Society by the State Government, for putting into execution, with the assistance of the State government and various financial institutions.
(ii) To establish, run, supervise and monitor computer and other vocational training institutes/centres either independently or in collaboration with other agencies for enhancing the skill and efficiency of the unemployed/ underemployed urban youth in various trades, crafts and business towards generation of additional employment and income.
(B) Objects incidents, ancillary and conducive to the attainment of the main objects
(i) to borrow, or raise resources by issuance of bonds, debentures, promissory notes
or other securities, or receive grants for providing financial assistance by way of grants/ subsidies and/or loans in cash or kind towards promoting employment opportunities for the urban youth and creating necessary infrastructure thereof,
(ii) to invest surplus funds in securities and deposits with the Government PSUs, Banks etc.,
(iii) to arrange supply of necessary inputs for various trades and occupations and also to undertake various commercial activities including installation of machinery and equipment for hiring out to entrepreneurs,
(iv) to acquire, hold and possess properties, both movable and immovable, and to sell, lease or otherwise transfer or deal in any property with the approval of the State Government,
(v) to enter into any contract with any agency for due discharge of its functions and to take over or amalgamate with any other institution whose objects are similar to the objects of the society with prior sanction of the State Government,
(vi) to co-opt representatives of banks, financial institutions etc. in required committees for smooth implementation of the programmes,
(vii) to resolve problems and remove bottlenecks for, ensuring effective implementations of the programmes,
(viii) to help and guide the entrepreneurs and trainees towards their self-employment in right direction,
(ix) to assist the recovery of loan component granted to eligible entrepreneurs,
(x) to prepare a data-bank in respect of successful entrepreneurs and trainees under the programmes undertaken by the Society,
(xi) to help and encourage the unemployed youth of this State for entrepreneurship development, vocational training and self-employment,
(xii) to compile data for urban self-employment beneficiaries under various schemes,
(xiii) to tie-up between the employment generation programmes with the would be beneficiaries,
(xiv) to develop course curriculum for new trades and upgrade existing course curriculum of existing trades from time to time used in Self-Employment Programmes. Creation of infrastructure for new trades, fixing educational qualification of trainers, market survey etc. in collaboration with concerned Department/ Agencies may also be looked after in this Society as and when req u i red,
(xv) to steer and monitor self-employment schemes in the urban areas and also identifying thrust areas of self-employment,
(xvi) to undertake all such activities as are incidental to and conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objects,
(xvii) to discharge such other functions and execute such other programmes as may be transferred to and conferred on the Society by the Union Government/State Government from time to time including all functions as may be supplemental, incidental or consequential thereto.
After the creation of the Department of Self Help Group & Self Employment vide Notification No. 196(12)-Home(Cons.)R2R(Cons.) dated 12.07.2006 issued by Home(C&E) Department the Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal came under the administrative control of the Department of Self Help Group & Self Employment. The Governing Body as well as the Executive Committee was re-constituted accordingly.
In the meantime, the State Government vide Notification No. 13-SH/1(18)Pr. Sery/06 dated, Kolkata, the 19th December, 2006 enhanced the benefit of the SVSKP to the rural areas as well, which was originally designed only for the urban youth. To justice to this redesigned SVSKP, the single most important activity of this Society, the Governing Body decided to re-name the Society as "Society for Self Employment of Unemployed Youth, West Bengal" instead of "Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal".
Gatidhara
The West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday cleareda proposal to offer financial help of up to Rs 1 lakh to unemployed persons agedbetween 20 and 45 to buy “small vehicles”. The move may encourage people to buytaxis and small buses.
The GatiDhara scheme was outlined by the Finance Minister in the budget inFebruary. The Cabinet on Tuesday announced that families with a monthly incomeof Rs 25,000 or less would qualify for financial support under the scheme.
“The transport department will interviewapplicants and draw up a list of eligible candidates. The labour departmentwould provide the money but the scheme would be implemented by the transportdepartment,” said Transport Minister Mr Madan Mitra. “The resolution has beencleared and will come into effect immediately.”
The project was initially aimed at thoseplanning to buy no-refusal taxis, luxury taxis or small goods vehicles. Now thescheme would extend to small buses with low-seating capacity. The final list of vehicles will be drawn upsoon.
The move was aimed at youths in Jangalmahal,who were finding it difficult to pool money to buy goods vehicles. During herrecent trips to Bankura and Purulia, Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee hadexpressed keenness to help youths in the Maoist-hit districts eke out a living.This would be of great help to those planning to buy Matadors or small eight to12-seater buses.
MNREGA
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/NREGA.aspx
India http://nrega.nic.in/netnrega/home.aspx#
PMGSY PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram sadak yojana )
SCHEME GUIDELINES
PMGSY GUIDE LINE
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched at the fag end of 2000-01. The primary objective of this Yojana is to provide connectivity, by way of all weather road (with necessary culverts and cross drainage structures which is operable throughout the year), to the unconnected habitations in the rural areas, in such a way that habitations with a population of 1000 persons and above are covered in 3 years (2000-03) and all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end of 10th Plan period (2007). In respect of hill areas, the objective would be to connect habitations with a population of 250 persons and above. The PMGSY will permit the upgradation of the existing roads in those districts where all the habitations of the above population size have been provided all weather road connectivity. However, the spirit and objective is to provide good all weather road connectivity to the unconnected habitations and as such it is required to be ensured that the provision of new connectivity is given precedence in keeping with the objectives of the programme.
New connectivity implies construction of roads from the earthwork stage to the desired specifications (Rural Roads Manual – IRC SP: 20:2002) and would, therefore, invariably involve some earth work. Existing gravel or WBM roads will not qualify to be treated as works of new connectivity even where they involve some earth work by way of widening of the carriage way or road formation. Work on a road which only has earthwork (and not a gravel road) will be treated as a case of new connectivity. The primary focus of the PMGSY is to provide all weather road connectivity to the unconnected habitations and all weather road is one which is negotiable during all weathers. This implies that the road bed is drained effectively by adequate cross drainage structures such as culverts, minor bridges and cause ways. The pavement should be negotiable during all weathers but this does not necessarily imply that it should be paved or surfaced or black topped.
The unit of this programme is a habitation and not a revenue village or a Panchayat. A habitation is a cluster of population living in a area the location of which does not change over time.
The PMGSY shall cover only the rural roads. Urban roads are excluded from the purview of this programme. Even in the rural areas, PMGSY covers only the rural roads i.e. roads that were formerly classified as “Other District Roads” (ODR) ad “Village Roads” (VR). Other District Roads are roads serving rural areas of production and providing them with outlet to market centers, block headquarters etc. Major District Roads viz. State High Ways, National High Ways cannot be covered under PMGSY even if they happen to be in rural areas. This implies to new connectivity roads as well as upgradation works.
The PMGSY envisages only single road connectivity to be provided. If a habitation is already connected to another connected habitations by way of all weather roads, then no further work can be taken up under the PMGSY at that habitation.
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PMGSY.aspx
India http://pmgsy.nic.in/
Rural Housing
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/RHOUSING.aspx
SGSY (Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana)
The Department of Panchayat & Rural Development Department is the Administrative Department for all the programme of Employment Generation Programme for poverty alleviation in the rural areas including Wage Employment Programme as well as Self Employment Programme. The major Self Employment Programme implemented by the Department is Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozger Yojana (SGSY). The beneficiaries on this programme are families living below the poverty line i.e., having expenditure less than Rs. 274.35 per capita per month. Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozger Yojana (SGSY) has been launched from April 1, 1999. The programme replaces the earlier self employment and allied programme – IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA, SITRA, GKY and MWS which are no longer in operation. SGSY is an innovative and carefully thought-out Yojana. It takes into account all the strength and weaknesses of the earlier self-employment programme. The main objective is to bring the assisted poor families above the poverty line in three years by providing them income generating assets through a mix of Bank Credit and Government subsidy. SGSY is a holistic programme covering various aspect of self-employment such as organization of the poor into a self help group, training, credit, technology., infrastructure and marketing.
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/SGSYv1.aspx
SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The prime objectives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as defined in the Article 40 of the Constitution of India are to promote economic development and social justice. These are intended to secure for the citizens adequate means of livelihood, raise the standard of living, improve public health, provide free and compulsory education for children etc. In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. It is in accordance with these noble principles that the Government of India on 15th August 1995 included the National Social Assistance Programme in the Central Budget for 1995-96 .The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) then comprised of National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programmes were meant for providing social assistance benefit to the aged, the BPL households in the case of death of the primary breadwinner and for maternity. Subsequently, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme was renamed as Janani Surakshya Yojona and the implementation of the scheme was transferred to the Health and Family Welfare department with effect from 1st April,2001.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the selected beneficiaries as per the following criteria :
Age of the applicant (male or female) is 65 years of more,
The applicant is a destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own sources of income or through financial support from the family members or other sources.
The amount of Old Age Pension was increased four fold i.e. from Rs. 100/- per month to Rs. 400/- per month during the financial year, which is shared equally by the Central & State Governments. Previously the Central Government contributed Rs 75/ per person and the balance Rs 25/ was contributed by the State Government. In order to improve delivery of services the Gram Panchayats were conferred sanctioning authority, previously vested in the S.D.O. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.23 9.68 crores has been spent for payment to 4,74,106 beneficiaries. Year-wise number of beneficiaries and amount disbursed during the year is shown at Table below :
From November, 2007, the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). The benefit of pension has been extended to all individuals who have attained the age of 65 years as on November,2007 and are enlisted in the list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families . The list of additional beneficiaries covered under IGNOAPS is available in this web site.
National Family Benefit Scheme
This scheme provides a one time financial assistance to the families living below the poverty line, which have lost their primary bread-winner, while aged between 18 & 65 years. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.17.77 crores has been spent for assistance to such families. A statement of performance under the scheme during the last five years is given at Table below :
In the earlier years benefit of the schemes did not reach all the eligible families. With closer monitoring and taking up special drives in increasing awareness about the scheme the coverage has improved in the last two years. In order to reduce the time taken for sanctioning and disbursement of the due amount the responsibility of sanctioning the cases was devolved on the Panchayat Samitis, which was earlier entrusted with the SDOs.
Provident Fund For Landless Agricultural Labourers (PROFLAL)
The Scheme was introduced from 1st April 1998. All landless agricultural labourers within the age group of 18 to 50 years who are recorded holders of up to 50 (fifty) decimal of land including homestead land and major source of earnings are derived from their work as agricultural labourers are eligible for the scheme. The eligible subscribers to the scheme have to deposit at the rate of Rs.10/- (ten) per month and the State Government contributes equal amount till such time the subscribers attain the age of 50 years. On attaining the age of 50 years, the accumulated amount along with usual interest is paid to the subscribers. If for some reason the subscriber does not find it possible to continue with the scheme, the amount saved by him along with the matching contribution of the State Government against the amount saved are refunded to the subscriber concerned. The scheme is administered by the Gram Panchayats at the village level. The Block Development Officer and the District Magistrate concerned have supervisory role in implementing the scheme.
As on 31.03.2007 a total of 9,13,901 subscribers have deposited Rs.20.52 crores on which interest accrued to date is Rs.4.29 crores.
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/SSECURITY.aspx
Panchayats
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx
ISGPP
http://103.35.164.23/
Other Schemes
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/OTHERS.aspx
Employment Schemes
Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (USKP)” 2008
Objective:
Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (USKP), is to assist unemployed youth validly registered with employment exchanges in West Bengal by providing subsidized credit from commercial banks.
Implementing Authority:
Directorate of Employment under Labour Department, West Bengal through its network of Employment Exchanges implements the scheme through Banks and other financial organization.
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
• The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme is usually Rs. 50,000/- per individual, including the margin money or subsidy provided b the state government.
• The margin money or subsidy would be @ 25% of the loan amount per person, subject to a maximum of Rs 12,500/-.
• Number of beneficiaries of identical trade can form cluster for joint activities under the scheme. By formation of a cooperative society or any such recognized body corporate, which will be termed as Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Joutha Prakalpa (USKJP)
• Except where categorically so mentioned, the features of the scheme shall remain the same irrespective of whether it is a Prakalpa or Joutha Prakalpa.
Eligibility :
• The Beneficiary has completed his 18th year but not the 45th year of age as on 1st day of April of the year in which he has applied to come under the scheme . The upper age limit is relaxable by five years in case of physically handicapped persons as well as persons belonging to scheduled caste/schedule tribes and other backwards classes;
• He is registered at any Employment Exchange of West Bengal for more than one year as on the 1st day of April of the year for which he has applied for the scheme; provided that no waiting period as a registered unemployed shall be required for the candidates belonging to physically challenged category or Women, candidates belonging to the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, other backward classes, ex-serviceman, minority category or EDP trained candidates
• He is not a defaulter in any financial organization or Banks.
• He is not avail benefits of Self Employment Scheme for the Registered Unemployed (SESRU) in West Bengal
How to apply :
An eligible candidate may apply for assistance under this scheme in a prescribed form (to be collected from local Employment Exchange) to the local Employment Exchange at any time of the year.
For details the local employment exchange may be contacted.
Self Employment Motivation – cum- Awareness camp :
Keeping in view this general aversion towards self employment, Directorate of Employment, W.B has ventured into this new path of Entrepreneurial Development Programme throughout the State, using the network of Employment Exchanges, with a two-fold objectives:
• To make the unemployed youth aware about the prospect and necessity of becoming self employed in the present employment market scenario.
• To provide the prospective entrepreneurs some pre-requisite information and guidance about some aspects of self employment like preparation of scheme, marketing strategy, banking requirements etc.
Such programmes are being organised in collaboration with RSETI (Rural Self Employment Training Institute) of various Nationalised Banks.
Bangla Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (B.S.K.P)
Objective:
For individual youth the scheme is called “Atma Maryada” and for groups of entrepreneurs it is called “Atma Samman”. The objective of the scheme is to generate self-employment in the state through promotion of tiny scale units of production, manufacturing, trade, service or any other sector other than direct agriculture. It is a continuing scheme. It covers both urban and rural areas.
Implementing Authority :
The society for self-employment of unemployed youth, West Bengal implements the scheme through banks or other financial institutions.
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
For an individual maximum limit is Rs 10 (ten) lakhs. For groups maximum limit is Rs 25 (twenty-five) lakhs including 10% margin money contribution from the applicant.
The State Govt. shall provide a subsidy / grant of 20% of the project cost, subject to a maximum limit of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) only in case of individual scheme (atma maryada) and maximum of Rs 2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakhs fifty thousands only in case of group schemes (atma samman).Subsidy / grant will be disbursed only after ensuring that the entrepreneur / group of entrepreneurs have contributed 10% of the project cost and margin money.
Eligibility :
• The scheme is applicable to all eligible entrepreneurs, individually or in groups (subject to a minimum of five members and all of them belonging to the same area).
• More than one member from the same family is not eligible to form a group (family for the purpose of the scheme shall be deemed to consist of spouse, dependent parents and dependent minor children).
• Employees of Central govt. , State govt., govt. Undertakings are not eligible to apply.
• An applicant should be an unemployed youth ( i.e. Not gainfully employed) and registered with any employment exchange, and whose family income (respective family income of an individual member in case of a group) does not exceed Rs. 15,000/- per month.
• The applicant must be within the age of 18 to 45 years as on the date on which he or she makes an application for assistance under the scheme.
How to apply :
prescribed application for is available with the block / self help group and self-employment offices. For further details, the Block officer / Municipality / borough self help group / self-employment officer may be contacted.
Objective:
Government of India has approved the introduction of a new credit linked subsidy programme called Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) by merging the two schemes that were in operation till 31.03.2008 namely Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas.
Implementing Authority :
The scheme will be implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organization under the administrative control of the ministry of MSME as the single nodal agency at the National level. At the State level the scheme will be implemented through state KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBS) and District Industries Centers (DICs) and banks. .
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
Levels of funding under PMEGP
Categories of beneficiaries under PMEGP Owner’s contribution Rate of subsidy (of cost of project)
Area Urban Rural
General 10% 15% 25%
Special (including SC/ STs/ OBCs/ minorities/ women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, hill and border areas 05% 25% 35%
Note:
The maximum cost of the project/unit admissible under manufacturing sector is Rs. 25 lakh. (2) the maximum cost of the project/unit admissible under business/service sector is Rs. 10 lakh. (3) the balance amount of the total project cost will be provided by banks as term loan.
The government subsidy under the scheme will be routed by KVIC through the identified banks for eventual distribution to the beneficiaries / entrepreneurs in their bank accounts. The implementing agencies, namely KVIC, KVIBS and DICs will associate reputed non government organization (NGOs)/reputed autonomous institutions/self help groups /National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) / Udyami Mitras empanelled under Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana (RGUMY), panchayati raj institutions and other relevant bodies in the implementation of the scheme, especially in the area of identification of beneficiaries, of area specific viable projects, and providing training in entrepreneurship development.
Eligibility :
• Any individual, above 18 years of age
• There will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP
• For setting up of project costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business /service sector, the beneficiaries should possess at least 8th standard pass educational qualification.
• Assistance under the scheme is available only for new projects sanctioned specifically under the PMEGP.
• Self help groups (including those belonging to BPL provided that they have not availed benefits under any other scheme) are also eligible for assistance under PMEGP.
• Institutions registered under societies registration act,1860; production co-operative societies, and charitable trusts, existing units and the units that have already availed government subsidy under any other scheme of government of India or State Government are not eligible.
How to apply :
The identification of beneficiaries will be done at the district level by a task force consisting of representatives from KVIC/state KVIB and state DICs and banks. The task force would be headed by the district magistrate / deputy commissioner / collector concerned. The bankers should be involved right from the beginning to ensure that bunching of applications is avoided. However, the applicants, who have already undergone training of at least 2 weeks under entrepreneurship development programme (EDP) / skill development programme (SDP) / entrepreneurship cum skill development programme (ESDP) or vocational training (VT) will be allowed to submit applications directly to banks.
Self Employment Schemes under West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC.)
Objective:
West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC.) Offers loan facility to promising entrepreneurs belonging to the minority communities (muslims, christans, buddhists, sikhs, persees) for their financial as well as social advancements.
Eligibility :
• Beneficiary must be a notified minorities i.e. Muslim, Christian Buddhist, Sikh and Parsee.
• The annual family income of the beneficiary must not exceed Rs 40000/- in rural areas and Rs 55000/- in urban areas
• He should not be a defaulter in respect of loan taken previously from Banks/ Financial Institutions for similar purpose.
Term loan :
Term loan is given for project cost upto Rs. 1,00,000/- on any need based commercially viable scheme. For project cost above 1 lakh upto 5 lakh loan for any scheme can be subject to approval of National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
Margin Money Scheme :
Project cost up to Rs. 5 lakhs is sanctioned by any commercial bank and willing to finance 60% of the project.
West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) may provide loan up to 25% of the project cost. However this assistance is subject to a maximum amount of 1.25 lakhs.
The rate of interest will be 4% on receiving requisition from the sanctioning bank. The recovery of the loan will also have to be proportionately shared.
Cluster Loan :
Loan upto Rs 25,000/- is given for any ongoing scheme and repayable in 23 monthly installments.
Micro Financing :
It provides financial assistance to augment income generating activities like small business, trade, tiny/cottage industry, service activity,artisan activity, agriculture or allied activity, transport sector activity. The scheme provides credit through NGOs. The NGOs may finance the beneficiaries directly or through Self Helf Group. Quantam of loan is upto Rs 6000/- per individual for short term (6 to 15 months) and Rs 10000/- for medium term (2 to 3 years).
Swarna-Jayanti Sahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY)
Objective:
The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) was launched on 01.12.1997 after subsuming the earlier three schemes for urban poverty alleviation, namely Nehru Rozgar Yojana (NRY), Urban Basic Services for the Poor (UBSP), and Prime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (PMIUPEP). The key objective of the Scheme was to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or underemployed through the setting up of self-employment ventures or provision of wage employment. it also provides supporting skill development and training programmes to enable the urban poor have access to employment opportunities opened up by the market or undertake self-employment; and the target population under SJSRY is the urban poor - those living below the poverty line, as defined by the Planning Commission from time to time.
Components :
SJSRY will have five major components, namely
(i) Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP)
(ii) Urban Women Self-help Programme (UWSP)
(iii) Skill Training for Employment Promotion amongst Urban Poor (STEP-UP)
(iv) Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP)
(v) Urban Community Development Network (UCDN)
Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP) :
This Component will be having two sub-components:
(i) Assistance to individual urban poor beneficiaries for setting up gainful self-employment ventures [Loan & Subsidy]
(ii) Technology/marketing/infrastructure/knowledge & other support provided to the urban poor in setting up their enterprises as well as marketing their products [Technology, Marketing & Other Support]..
Eligibility :
USEP will target the urban population below poverty line, as defined by the Planning Commission from time to time. It will lay special focus on women, persons belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST), physically challanged persons and such other categories as may be indicated by the Government from time to time. The percentage of women beneficiaries under USEP shall not be less than 30%. SCs and STs must be benefited at least to the extent of the proportion of their strength in the city / town population below poverty line (BPL). A special provision of 3% reservation in the total number of beneficiaries should be made for the physically challanged persons under USEP. In view of the Prime Minister's New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities, 15% of the physical and financial targets under the Urban Self Employment Programme at the national level shall be earmarked for the minority communities.
No minimum or maximum educational qualification is prescribed for selection of beneficiaries under USEP. Where the identified activity for microenterprise development requires skill training of an appropriate level, the same will be provided to the beneficiaries before extending financial support.
Beneficiary Identification :
A house-to-house survey for identification of genuine beneficiaries, with focus on slums and low-income settlements, will need to be conducted. Model Formats for conduct of slum survey, household survey and livelihoods survey and guidelines will be communicated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation. In addition to the economic criteria of the Urban Poverty Line, noneconomic parameters will also be applied to identify the urban poor for receiving benefits under SJSRY.
Loan Amount :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows :
• Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
• Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-
• Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money
• Collateral - No Collateral required
In case a number of beneficiaries decide to jointly set up a project, such project shall be eligible for a subsidy which will be equal to the total permitted subsidy per person as per the above criteria. In this case too the provision of 5% margin money per beneficiary will apply.
Skill development through appropriate training is another element of this programme. It is intended to provide training in a variety of service and manufacturing trades as well as local skills and local crafts so that the beneficiaries can set up self-employment ventures or secure salaried employment with higher remuneration.
There is sub-scheme under this scheme called “development of women and children in urban areas” which extends special incentives to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group. To be eligible for subsidy under this scheme the group should consist of at least 10 urban poor women. The group society shall be entitled to a subsidy of Rs. 1,25,000/- or 50% of the cost of project, whichever is less.
Beneficiary Identification :
A house-to-house survey for identification of genuine beneficiaries, with focus on slums and low-income settlements, will need to be conducted. Model Formats for conduct of slum survey, household survey and livelihoods survey and guidelines will be communicated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation. In addition to the economic criteria of the Urban Poverty Line, noneconomic parameters will also be applied to identify the urban poor for receiving benefits under SJSRY.
Loan Amount :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows :
• Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
• Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-
• Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money
• Collateral - No Collateral required
In case a number of beneficiaries decide to jointly set up a project, such project shall be eligible for a subsidy which will be equal to the total permitted subsidy per person as per the above criteria. In this case too the provision of 5% margin money per beneficiary will apply.
Skill development through appropriate training is another element of this programme. It is intended to provide training in a variety of service and manufacturing trades as well as local skills and local crafts so that the beneficiaries can set up self-employment ventures or secure salaried employment with higher remuneration.
There is sub-scheme under this scheme called “development of women and children in urban areas” which extends special incentives to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group. To be eligible for subsidy under this scheme the group should consist of at least 10 urban poor women. The group society shall be entitled to a subsidy of Rs. 1,25,000/- or 50% of the cost of project, whichever is less.
Urban Self Employment Programme (Loan & Subsidy) :
This component of SJSRY focuses on providing assistance to individual urban poor beneficiaries for setting up gainful self-employment ventures - micro-enterprises.
Coverage :
The programme will be applicable to all cities and towns on a whole town basis. Within each town, it will be implemented by selecting whole clusters of the poor segments so as to bring in efficiencies in the administration and the delivery mechanisms and also make the impact visible.
Funding Pattern :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows
Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/-.
Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money.
Collateral - No Collateral required.
Urban women self-help programme (UWSP) :
This Component will be having two sub-components:
(i). Assistance to groups of urban poor women for setting up gainful self-employment ventures - UWSP (Loan & Subsidy)
(ii). Revolving Funds for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) / Thrift & Credit Societies (T&CSs) formed by the urban poor women – UWSP (Revolving Fund).
Urban Women Self-Help Programme (Loan & Subsidy) :
This scheme is distinguished by the special incentive extended to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group as opposed to individual effort. Groups of urban poor women may take up an economic activity suited to their skill, training, aptitude, and local conditions.
The Urban Wage Employment Programme :
This programme seeks to provide wage employment to beneficiaries living below poverty line by utilizing their labour for construction of socially and economically useful public assets. This programme applies to urban local bodies the population of which was less than 5 lakhs as per 1991 census. The prevailing minimum wage rate, as notified from time to time for each area, shall be paid to beneficiaries under this programme. No educational qualification is required for the scheme.
Urban community development network (UCDN) - community structures, community development & empowerment :
SJSRY shall rest on the foundation of community development and empowerment. Rather than relying on the traditional method of top-down implementation, the Scheme shall rely on establishing and nurturing community organizations and structures that facilitate sustained urban poverty alleviation. Towards this end, community organizations like Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), Neighbourhood Committees (NHCs), and Community Development Societies (CDSs) shall be set up in the target areas.
Swarna-Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)
Objective:
The main objective of the SGSY is to bring the assisted poor families above the poverty line in three years by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. The scheme covers various aspects of self-employment such as organization of the poor into a self-help group, training, credit, technology, infrastructure and marketing.
Salient features of the scheme :
• The assisted families may be individual or group, however, emphasis is on the group approach. Generally the groups are formed with the members of BPLfamilies only. In some cases 20% and in exceptional cases 30% of the group members may belong to APLfamilies, but the APL members of the groups are far from being office bearer and will not be entitled to get subsidy.
• 50% of the group formed in each block should be exclusively for women who will account for at least 40% of the swarozgaries.
• For selection of key activities, approval of the panchayat samity at the block level and DRD cell zilla parishad at district level are necessary.
• The scheme ensures upgradation of technology in the identified activity cluster. The technology intervention seeks to add value to the local resources, including processing of the locally available material for local and non-local market.
• SGSY provides for promotion of marketing of the goods produced by the swarozgaries.
• SC/ST accounts for at least 15%m of the swarozgaries and disabled for 3%..
Subsidy Norms for SHGs and Disabled persons :
Subsidy under SGSY is uniform @30% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 7,500/- in case of individual beneficiaries. In case of SC/STs and disabled, the rate is 50% subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000/-. For group of swarozgaries ,the subsidy is 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10000/- per capita
Expenditure on different component such as training and capacity building, revolving fund, subsidy and infrastructure are to be prioritized by DRD cell based on the local requirements. However, the expenditure on infrastructure should not exceed 20% of total annual allocation.
Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)
Strategies of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Tribal SubPlan for he Scheduled Tribes (STs) were introduced in the Sixth Plan and Fifth Plan for channelising to these categories of people their due share of plan benefits and outlays. The strategies of Scheduled
Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) envisage to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from all the sectors of development in the Annual Plans of States/UTs and Central Ministries at least in proportion to their population both in physical and financial terms.
The West Bengal Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Development and Finance Corporation has launched the Special Component Plan (SCP) scheme for the scheduled caste and Tribal sub Plan (TSP) scheme for scheduled tribe people living below the poverty line. The primary object of these schemes are economic upliftment and augmenting the income of the poor SC/ST people of West Bengal through the process of micro financing. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are:
Beneficiary :
Scheduled caste/ scheduled tribe people on individual or cluster basis, living below the poverty line, whose annual family income is Rs. 19654/- for rural areas and Rs. 27,247/- for urban areas.
Schemes to be financed :
the corporation provides assistance to the target group people for undertaking income generating schemes under six broad sectors like : 9i) agriculture & small irrigation (ii) animal husbandry (iii) fisheries (iv) village industries (v) business & (vi) small transport.
Project cost :
The maximum limit of project cost is Rs. 35,000/- under these medium term lending programme.
Means of finance :
means of finance in these schemes consists of three components. (a) subsidy, (b) margin money, (c) bank loan.
Subsidy is restricted to 50% of project cost or Rs 10,000/- whichever is less. Margin money loan is extended up to the project cost of Rs. 12,000/- @ 20% of the project cost or Rs 2,000/- whichever is less.
Rationale
Under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (PCMA), 18 is the legal age of marriage for girls, and 21 for boys in India. Despite several years of this Act being in existence, the early marriage of children continues to be practiced in West Bengal. According to DLHS -3, 2007-08, the state ranked fifth highest in the country when it came to the prevalence of child marriage, with almost every second girl a child bride (54.7%). Although more pervasive in rural areas, statistics revealed than even in non-slum areas of Kolkata, more than a quarter of girls are married before they reach adulthood.
Child marriage is a gendered practice, affecting far more girls than boys. It is perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse of minor girls, and has a negative impact on their health and the health of their children, leaves them financially and socially disempowered, and vulnerable to child labour, trafficking and other forms of exploitation. In fact, the districts with the highest incidence of child marriage in West Bengal are also those where trafficking is rampant.
Child marriage and school drop-outs go hand in hand. In West Bengal, attendance of girls in school drops from 85% in the age-group 6-10 years to a mere 33% in the age group 15-17 years (NFHS III, 2005-06). After the implementation of free and universal elementary education in India, progress in enrollment and completion of elementary school has been noticed, however, the transition from elementary to secondary school remains a concern. Secondary education is not free, and many impoverished parents, failing to see the economic rationale for investing in their daughters education, marry them off at this age in the belief that this will enhance the girl's and the family's security. This step however, condemns the girls to a life of financial and social insecurity. Field studies show that most women have to take up some economic activity in later years, and that their lack of qualifications and work experience makes them ill-equipped for the labour market, and therefore susceptible to poverty and exploitation throughout life. As a result, poverty, a factor that fuels child marriage, in turn perpetuates the feminization of poverty.
After the enactment of the PCMA 2006, the Department of Women Development and Social Welfare and Child Development (DWD) implemented anti-child marriage campaigns spreading the message of prevention, and endorsing enforcement of the law and its penal provisions for adults aiding and abetting child marriage,. However it quickly became evident that legal prohibition and social messaging are largely ineffective in addressing child marriage. For one, India's multiplicity of formal and religious laws complicates the issue of what constitutes the 'appropriate' age of marriage for girls. Secondly, because the practice is ascribed to time-honoured tradition and is justified from a patriarchal perspective as essential for protection of girls from the 'evils of society', eradicating it requires tangible drivers of social change that can transform victims made vulnerable by their age and gender into actors determining their own lives.
Objectives
Kanyashree Prakalpa seeks to improve the status and wellbeing of girls, specifically those from socio-economically disadvantaged families through Conditional Cash Transfers by:
Incentivizing them to continue in education for a longer period of time, and complete secondary or higher secondary education, or equivalent in technical or vocational steams, thereby giving them a better footing in both the economic and social spheres.
Disincentivising marriage till at least the age of 18, the legal age of marriage, thereby reducing the risks of early pregnancies, associated risks of maternal and child mortality, and other debilitating health conditions, including those of malnutrition.
It was also decided that the Scheme should confer more than just monetary support; it should be a means of financial inclusion and a tool of empowerment for adolescent girls. The scheme's benefits are therefore paid directly to bank accounts in the girls' names, leaving the decision of utilization of the money in their hands.
To reinforce the positive impact of increased education and delayed marriages, the scheme also works to enhance the social power and self-esteem of girls through a targeted behaviour change communication strategy. The communication strategy not only builds awareness of the scheme, but includes adolescent-friendly approaches like events, competitions and Kanyashree clubs, and the endorsement of strong women figures as role models to promote social and psychological empowerment.
As more and more girls remain in school, it is envisaged that they will use the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge that will help them become economically independent. Even if girls do get married soon after they turn 18, it is expected that their education and enhanced social and emotional development will give them a better foundation for in their adult lives. And over time, as entire generations of women enter marriages only after they have some degree of economic independence, it is expected that the practice of child marriage is completely eradicated, and women will attain their right to health, education and socio-economic equality.
Kanyashree’s core objectives are simple and focussed: it aims to ensure that girls stay in school and delay their marriages till at least age 18. Kanyashree’s approach is also simple: it uses a social safety net mechanism that has shown a high degree of success in transforming the lives of children and adolescents in several countries in the world: Conditional Cash Transfers. The scheme has two cash transfer components:
The first is an Annual Scholarship of Rs. 750/- to be paid annually to the girls in the age group 13 to 18 years (studying in Class VIII equivalent or above for every year that they remained in education, provided they are unmarried at the time.
The second is a One-Time Grant of Rs. 25,000/-, to be paid after a girl turns 18, provided that she was engaged in an academic or occupational pursuit and was unmarried.
The term ‘education’ encompasses secondary and higher secondary education, as well as the various vocational, technical and sports courses available for this age group. Given that children from socio-economically disadvantaged families are more vulnerable to child marriage, the scheme is open only to girls from families whose annual income is Rs. 1,20,000/- or less. For girls with special needs, orphans and girls in J. J. Homes the income criterion is waived. Girls with special needs, but in a class below class VIII, can also apply for the annual scholarship.
National and International Recognitions
Kanyashree Prakalpa has received national and international recognition for its design and features of good governance.
Awards received:
West Bengal Chief Minister's Award for Empowerment of Girls, 2014
Manthan Award for Digital Inclusion for Development (South Asia and Asia Pacific) 2014 under the category E-Women and Empowerment.
National E-governance Award 2014 – 2015 awarded by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India.
Skoch Award and Order of Merit 2015 for Smart Governance.
CSI-Nihilent Award, 2014-15.
United Nations WSIS Prize 2016 Champion in e-Government Category (WSIS Action Line C7)
The Scheme was appreciated as a good practice at:
The "Girls' Summit" organized by DFID and UNICEF (London, July 2014).
Consultation on "Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancies" organized Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Delhi, March 2015).
Consultation on "Empowerment of Adolescent Girls" organized by the World Bank (Ranchi, May 2015).
National Workshop on "Conditional Cash Transfers for Children: Experiences of States in India" organized by NITI Aayog, India (Delhi, December 2015).
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Enclave organized by U. S. Consulate & Shakti Vahini (Siliguri, February 2016).
Total Kanyashree Beneficiary: 32,84,188 as on 05/06/2016
Swanirbhar
It is commonly believed, and not without reasons, that despite being intellectually more sound, well-informed and career-conscious, today’s youth of this state often lack the zeal, industriousness and foresight that make a person enterprising. It is, therefore, necessary to create awareness to inculcate in them the values of creativity, excellence, innovation, leadership and independence assuming, hopefully, that these values will inspire them to select an independent innovative career option and excel in the chosen career. In other words, the need of the day is to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship into the psyche of the present generation of West Bengal through teaching, training and extending opportunities. With this end in view the Government of West Bengal came up with the scheme 'SWAMI VIVEKANANDA KARMASANSTHAN PRAKALPA’ with the single most important mission to spearhead entrepreneurship movement throughout the state with the conviction that entrepreneurs need not necessarily be born, but can be developed through well-conceived and well-directed activities.
Swami Vivekananda Karmasansthan Prakalpa is a scheme to generate self-employment in the urban & rural areas of the state through promotion of tiny scale units of production, manufacturing, trade, service or any other sector including agro-based industries, floriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry other than direct agriculture.
There are two schemes under SVSKP-
1) Atma Maryada – For individual entrepreneur.
2) Atma Samman – for group entrepreneur.
The scheme came into effect from the financial year 2000-01. it has been extended to rural areas from 2006-07.
* Nos. of Schemes in Operation 136509 Nos.
* Total Project Cost 2918 Crores
* Govt. Subsidy 667 Crores
* Bank Loan 959 Crores
* Entrepreneur's Contribution 292 Crores
* Loan amount Recovered 611 Crores
* Nos. of cases fully recovered 10820 Nos.
* Nos. of employment generated 341273 Heads
The Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal having its registered office at 142, Lenin Sarani, Ground Floor, Kolkata-700013 was constituted by the Government of West Bengal under the administrative control of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of West Bengal by Notification No. 870YS/O/1S-08/2004 dated 08.12.2004 and was registered un The Societies Registration Act XXVI of 1961.
The Registration Number of the Society is S/IL/26674 of 2004-2005.
Object of the Society
(A) Main objects of the Society:
(i) To promote entrepreneurship and employment opportunities by sponsoring, implementing, administering, supervising and monitoring self-employment programmes for the urban youth as may be devised by the Society or transferred to the Society by the State Government, for putting into execution, with the assistance of the State government and various financial institutions.
(ii) To establish, run, supervise and monitor computer and other vocational training institutes/centres either independently or in collaboration with other agencies for enhancing the skill and efficiency of the unemployed/ underemployed urban youth in various trades, crafts and business towards generation of additional employment and income.
(B) Objects incidents, ancillary and conducive to the attainment of the main objects
(i) to borrow, or raise resources by issuance of bonds, debentures, promissory notes
or other securities, or receive grants for providing financial assistance by way of grants/ subsidies and/or loans in cash or kind towards promoting employment opportunities for the urban youth and creating necessary infrastructure thereof,
(ii) to invest surplus funds in securities and deposits with the Government PSUs, Banks etc.,
(iii) to arrange supply of necessary inputs for various trades and occupations and also to undertake various commercial activities including installation of machinery and equipment for hiring out to entrepreneurs,
(iv) to acquire, hold and possess properties, both movable and immovable, and to sell, lease or otherwise transfer or deal in any property with the approval of the State Government,
(v) to enter into any contract with any agency for due discharge of its functions and to take over or amalgamate with any other institution whose objects are similar to the objects of the society with prior sanction of the State Government,
(vi) to co-opt representatives of banks, financial institutions etc. in required committees for smooth implementation of the programmes,
(vii) to resolve problems and remove bottlenecks for, ensuring effective implementations of the programmes,
(viii) to help and guide the entrepreneurs and trainees towards their self-employment in right direction,
(ix) to assist the recovery of loan component granted to eligible entrepreneurs,
(x) to prepare a data-bank in respect of successful entrepreneurs and trainees under the programmes undertaken by the Society,
(xi) to help and encourage the unemployed youth of this State for entrepreneurship development, vocational training and self-employment,
(xii) to compile data for urban self-employment beneficiaries under various schemes,
(xiii) to tie-up between the employment generation programmes with the would be beneficiaries,
(xiv) to develop course curriculum for new trades and upgrade existing course curriculum of existing trades from time to time used in Self-Employment Programmes. Creation of infrastructure for new trades, fixing educational qualification of trainers, market survey etc. in collaboration with concerned Department/ Agencies may also be looked after in this Society as and when req u i red,
(xv) to steer and monitor self-employment schemes in the urban areas and also identifying thrust areas of self-employment,
(xvi) to undertake all such activities as are incidental to and conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objects,
(xvii) to discharge such other functions and execute such other programmes as may be transferred to and conferred on the Society by the Union Government/State Government from time to time including all functions as may be supplemental, incidental or consequential thereto.
After the creation of the Department of Self Help Group & Self Employment vide Notification No. 196(12)-Home(Cons.)R2R(Cons.) dated 12.07.2006 issued by Home(C&E) Department the Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal came under the administrative control of the Department of Self Help Group & Self Employment. The Governing Body as well as the Executive Committee was re-constituted accordingly.
In the meantime, the State Government vide Notification No. 13-SH/1(18)Pr. Sery/06 dated, Kolkata, the 19th December, 2006 enhanced the benefit of the SVSKP to the rural areas as well, which was originally designed only for the urban youth. To justice to this redesigned SVSKP, the single most important activity of this Society, the Governing Body decided to re-name the Society as "Society for Self Employment of Unemployed Youth, West Bengal" instead of "Society for Self Employment of Urban Youth, West Bengal".
Gatidhara
The West Bengal Cabinet on Tuesday cleareda proposal to offer financial help of up to Rs 1 lakh to unemployed persons agedbetween 20 and 45 to buy “small vehicles”. The move may encourage people to buytaxis and small buses.
The GatiDhara scheme was outlined by the Finance Minister in the budget inFebruary. The Cabinet on Tuesday announced that families with a monthly incomeof Rs 25,000 or less would qualify for financial support under the scheme.
“The transport department will interviewapplicants and draw up a list of eligible candidates. The labour departmentwould provide the money but the scheme would be implemented by the transportdepartment,” said Transport Minister Mr Madan Mitra. “The resolution has beencleared and will come into effect immediately.”
The project was initially aimed at thoseplanning to buy no-refusal taxis, luxury taxis or small goods vehicles. Now thescheme would extend to small buses with low-seating capacity. The final list of vehicles will be drawn upsoon.
The move was aimed at youths in Jangalmahal,who were finding it difficult to pool money to buy goods vehicles. During herrecent trips to Bankura and Purulia, Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee hadexpressed keenness to help youths in the Maoist-hit districts eke out a living.This would be of great help to those planning to buy Matadors or small eight to12-seater buses.
MNREGA
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/NREGA.aspx
India http://nrega.nic.in/netnrega/home.aspx#
PMGSY PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram sadak yojana )
SCHEME GUIDELINES
PMGSY GUIDE LINE
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched at the fag end of 2000-01. The primary objective of this Yojana is to provide connectivity, by way of all weather road (with necessary culverts and cross drainage structures which is operable throughout the year), to the unconnected habitations in the rural areas, in such a way that habitations with a population of 1000 persons and above are covered in 3 years (2000-03) and all unconnected habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end of 10th Plan period (2007). In respect of hill areas, the objective would be to connect habitations with a population of 250 persons and above. The PMGSY will permit the upgradation of the existing roads in those districts where all the habitations of the above population size have been provided all weather road connectivity. However, the spirit and objective is to provide good all weather road connectivity to the unconnected habitations and as such it is required to be ensured that the provision of new connectivity is given precedence in keeping with the objectives of the programme.
New connectivity implies construction of roads from the earthwork stage to the desired specifications (Rural Roads Manual – IRC SP: 20:2002) and would, therefore, invariably involve some earth work. Existing gravel or WBM roads will not qualify to be treated as works of new connectivity even where they involve some earth work by way of widening of the carriage way or road formation. Work on a road which only has earthwork (and not a gravel road) will be treated as a case of new connectivity. The primary focus of the PMGSY is to provide all weather road connectivity to the unconnected habitations and all weather road is one which is negotiable during all weathers. This implies that the road bed is drained effectively by adequate cross drainage structures such as culverts, minor bridges and cause ways. The pavement should be negotiable during all weathers but this does not necessarily imply that it should be paved or surfaced or black topped.
The unit of this programme is a habitation and not a revenue village or a Panchayat. A habitation is a cluster of population living in a area the location of which does not change over time.
The PMGSY shall cover only the rural roads. Urban roads are excluded from the purview of this programme. Even in the rural areas, PMGSY covers only the rural roads i.e. roads that were formerly classified as “Other District Roads” (ODR) ad “Village Roads” (VR). Other District Roads are roads serving rural areas of production and providing them with outlet to market centers, block headquarters etc. Major District Roads viz. State High Ways, National High Ways cannot be covered under PMGSY even if they happen to be in rural areas. This implies to new connectivity roads as well as upgradation works.
The PMGSY envisages only single road connectivity to be provided. If a habitation is already connected to another connected habitations by way of all weather roads, then no further work can be taken up under the PMGSY at that habitation.
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PMGSY.aspx
India http://pmgsy.nic.in/
Rural Housing
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/RHOUSING.aspx
SGSY (Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana)
The Department of Panchayat & Rural Development Department is the Administrative Department for all the programme of Employment Generation Programme for poverty alleviation in the rural areas including Wage Employment Programme as well as Self Employment Programme. The major Self Employment Programme implemented by the Department is Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozger Yojana (SGSY). The beneficiaries on this programme are families living below the poverty line i.e., having expenditure less than Rs. 274.35 per capita per month. Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozger Yojana (SGSY) has been launched from April 1, 1999. The programme replaces the earlier self employment and allied programme – IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA, SITRA, GKY and MWS which are no longer in operation. SGSY is an innovative and carefully thought-out Yojana. It takes into account all the strength and weaknesses of the earlier self-employment programme. The main objective is to bring the assisted poor families above the poverty line in three years by providing them income generating assets through a mix of Bank Credit and Government subsidy. SGSY is a holistic programme covering various aspect of self-employment such as organization of the poor into a self help group, training, credit, technology., infrastructure and marketing.
WB http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/SGSYv1.aspx
SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
BRIEF INTRODUCTION
The prime objectives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as defined in the Article 40 of the Constitution of India are to promote economic development and social justice. These are intended to secure for the citizens adequate means of livelihood, raise the standard of living, improve public health, provide free and compulsory education for children etc. In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. It is in accordance with these noble principles that the Government of India on 15th August 1995 included the National Social Assistance Programme in the Central Budget for 1995-96 .The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) then comprised of National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programmes were meant for providing social assistance benefit to the aged, the BPL households in the case of death of the primary breadwinner and for maternity. Subsequently, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme was renamed as Janani Surakshya Yojona and the implementation of the scheme was transferred to the Health and Family Welfare department with effect from 1st April,2001.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the selected beneficiaries as per the following criteria :
Age of the applicant (male or female) is 65 years of more,
The applicant is a destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own sources of income or through financial support from the family members or other sources.
The amount of Old Age Pension was increased four fold i.e. from Rs. 100/- per month to Rs. 400/- per month during the financial year, which is shared equally by the Central & State Governments. Previously the Central Government contributed Rs 75/ per person and the balance Rs 25/ was contributed by the State Government. In order to improve delivery of services the Gram Panchayats were conferred sanctioning authority, previously vested in the S.D.O. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.23 9.68 crores has been spent for payment to 4,74,106 beneficiaries. Year-wise number of beneficiaries and amount disbursed during the year is shown at Table below :
From November, 2007, the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). The benefit of pension has been extended to all individuals who have attained the age of 65 years as on November,2007 and are enlisted in the list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families . The list of additional beneficiaries covered under IGNOAPS is available in this web site.
National Family Benefit Scheme
This scheme provides a one time financial assistance to the families living below the poverty line, which have lost their primary bread-winner, while aged between 18 & 65 years. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.17.77 crores has been spent for assistance to such families. A statement of performance under the scheme during the last five years is given at Table below :
In the earlier years benefit of the schemes did not reach all the eligible families. With closer monitoring and taking up special drives in increasing awareness about the scheme the coverage has improved in the last two years. In order to reduce the time taken for sanctioning and disbursement of the due amount the responsibility of sanctioning the cases was devolved on the Panchayat Samitis, which was earlier entrusted with the SDOs.
Provident Fund For Landless Agricultural Labourers (PROFLAL)
The Scheme was introduced from 1st April 1998. All landless agricultural labourers within the age group of 18 to 50 years who are recorded holders of up to 50 (fifty) decimal of land including homestead land and major source of earnings are derived from their work as agricultural labourers are eligible for the scheme. The eligible subscribers to the scheme have to deposit at the rate of Rs.10/- (ten) per month and the State Government contributes equal amount till such time the subscribers attain the age of 50 years. On attaining the age of 50 years, the accumulated amount along with usual interest is paid to the subscribers. If for some reason the subscriber does not find it possible to continue with the scheme, the amount saved by him along with the matching contribution of the State Government against the amount saved are refunded to the subscriber concerned. The scheme is administered by the Gram Panchayats at the village level. The Block Development Officer and the District Magistrate concerned have supervisory role in implementing the scheme.
As on 31.03.2007 a total of 9,13,901 subscribers have deposited Rs.20.52 crores on which interest accrued to date is Rs.4.29 crores.
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/SSECURITY.aspx
Panchayats
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/PANCHAYATS.aspx
ISGPP
http://103.35.164.23/
Other Schemes
http://www.wbprd.gov.in/HtmlPage/OTHERS.aspx
Employment Schemes
Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (USKP)” 2008
Objective:
Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (USKP), is to assist unemployed youth validly registered with employment exchanges in West Bengal by providing subsidized credit from commercial banks.
Implementing Authority:
Directorate of Employment under Labour Department, West Bengal through its network of Employment Exchanges implements the scheme through Banks and other financial organization.
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
• The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme is usually Rs. 50,000/- per individual, including the margin money or subsidy provided b the state government.
• The margin money or subsidy would be @ 25% of the loan amount per person, subject to a maximum of Rs 12,500/-.
• Number of beneficiaries of identical trade can form cluster for joint activities under the scheme. By formation of a cooperative society or any such recognized body corporate, which will be termed as Udiyaman Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Joutha Prakalpa (USKJP)
• Except where categorically so mentioned, the features of the scheme shall remain the same irrespective of whether it is a Prakalpa or Joutha Prakalpa.
Eligibility :
• The Beneficiary has completed his 18th year but not the 45th year of age as on 1st day of April of the year in which he has applied to come under the scheme . The upper age limit is relaxable by five years in case of physically handicapped persons as well as persons belonging to scheduled caste/schedule tribes and other backwards classes;
• He is registered at any Employment Exchange of West Bengal for more than one year as on the 1st day of April of the year for which he has applied for the scheme; provided that no waiting period as a registered unemployed shall be required for the candidates belonging to physically challenged category or Women, candidates belonging to the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, other backward classes, ex-serviceman, minority category or EDP trained candidates
• He is not a defaulter in any financial organization or Banks.
• He is not avail benefits of Self Employment Scheme for the Registered Unemployed (SESRU) in West Bengal
How to apply :
An eligible candidate may apply for assistance under this scheme in a prescribed form (to be collected from local Employment Exchange) to the local Employment Exchange at any time of the year.
For details the local employment exchange may be contacted.
Self Employment Motivation – cum- Awareness camp :
Keeping in view this general aversion towards self employment, Directorate of Employment, W.B has ventured into this new path of Entrepreneurial Development Programme throughout the State, using the network of Employment Exchanges, with a two-fold objectives:
• To make the unemployed youth aware about the prospect and necessity of becoming self employed in the present employment market scenario.
• To provide the prospective entrepreneurs some pre-requisite information and guidance about some aspects of self employment like preparation of scheme, marketing strategy, banking requirements etc.
Such programmes are being organised in collaboration with RSETI (Rural Self Employment Training Institute) of various Nationalised Banks.
Bangla Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (B.S.K.P)
Objective:
For individual youth the scheme is called “Atma Maryada” and for groups of entrepreneurs it is called “Atma Samman”. The objective of the scheme is to generate self-employment in the state through promotion of tiny scale units of production, manufacturing, trade, service or any other sector other than direct agriculture. It is a continuing scheme. It covers both urban and rural areas.
Implementing Authority :
The society for self-employment of unemployed youth, West Bengal implements the scheme through banks or other financial institutions.
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
For an individual maximum limit is Rs 10 (ten) lakhs. For groups maximum limit is Rs 25 (twenty-five) lakhs including 10% margin money contribution from the applicant.
The State Govt. shall provide a subsidy / grant of 20% of the project cost, subject to a maximum limit of Rs 1,00,000/- (Rupees one lakh) only in case of individual scheme (atma maryada) and maximum of Rs 2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakhs fifty thousands only in case of group schemes (atma samman).Subsidy / grant will be disbursed only after ensuring that the entrepreneur / group of entrepreneurs have contributed 10% of the project cost and margin money.
Eligibility :
• The scheme is applicable to all eligible entrepreneurs, individually or in groups (subject to a minimum of five members and all of them belonging to the same area).
• More than one member from the same family is not eligible to form a group (family for the purpose of the scheme shall be deemed to consist of spouse, dependent parents and dependent minor children).
• Employees of Central govt. , State govt., govt. Undertakings are not eligible to apply.
• An applicant should be an unemployed youth ( i.e. Not gainfully employed) and registered with any employment exchange, and whose family income (respective family income of an individual member in case of a group) does not exceed Rs. 15,000/- per month.
• The applicant must be within the age of 18 to 45 years as on the date on which he or she makes an application for assistance under the scheme.
How to apply :
prescribed application for is available with the block / self help group and self-employment offices. For further details, the Block officer / Municipality / borough self help group / self-employment officer may be contacted.
Objective:
Government of India has approved the introduction of a new credit linked subsidy programme called Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) by merging the two schemes that were in operation till 31.03.2008 namely Prime Minister’s Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas.
Implementing Authority :
The scheme will be implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organization under the administrative control of the ministry of MSME as the single nodal agency at the National level. At the State level the scheme will be implemented through state KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBS) and District Industries Centers (DICs) and banks. .
The maximum limit of loan available under the scheme :
Levels of funding under PMEGP
Categories of beneficiaries under PMEGP Owner’s contribution Rate of subsidy (of cost of project)
Area Urban Rural
General 10% 15% 25%
Special (including SC/ STs/ OBCs/ minorities/ women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, hill and border areas 05% 25% 35%
Note:
The maximum cost of the project/unit admissible under manufacturing sector is Rs. 25 lakh. (2) the maximum cost of the project/unit admissible under business/service sector is Rs. 10 lakh. (3) the balance amount of the total project cost will be provided by banks as term loan.
The government subsidy under the scheme will be routed by KVIC through the identified banks for eventual distribution to the beneficiaries / entrepreneurs in their bank accounts. The implementing agencies, namely KVIC, KVIBS and DICs will associate reputed non government organization (NGOs)/reputed autonomous institutions/self help groups /National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) / Udyami Mitras empanelled under Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana (RGUMY), panchayati raj institutions and other relevant bodies in the implementation of the scheme, especially in the area of identification of beneficiaries, of area specific viable projects, and providing training in entrepreneurship development.
Eligibility :
• Any individual, above 18 years of age
• There will be no income ceiling for assistance for setting up projects under PMEGP
• For setting up of project costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business /service sector, the beneficiaries should possess at least 8th standard pass educational qualification.
• Assistance under the scheme is available only for new projects sanctioned specifically under the PMEGP.
• Self help groups (including those belonging to BPL provided that they have not availed benefits under any other scheme) are also eligible for assistance under PMEGP.
• Institutions registered under societies registration act,1860; production co-operative societies, and charitable trusts, existing units and the units that have already availed government subsidy under any other scheme of government of India or State Government are not eligible.
How to apply :
The identification of beneficiaries will be done at the district level by a task force consisting of representatives from KVIC/state KVIB and state DICs and banks. The task force would be headed by the district magistrate / deputy commissioner / collector concerned. The bankers should be involved right from the beginning to ensure that bunching of applications is avoided. However, the applicants, who have already undergone training of at least 2 weeks under entrepreneurship development programme (EDP) / skill development programme (SDP) / entrepreneurship cum skill development programme (ESDP) or vocational training (VT) will be allowed to submit applications directly to banks.
Self Employment Schemes under West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC.)
Objective:
West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC.) Offers loan facility to promising entrepreneurs belonging to the minority communities (muslims, christans, buddhists, sikhs, persees) for their financial as well as social advancements.
Eligibility :
• Beneficiary must be a notified minorities i.e. Muslim, Christian Buddhist, Sikh and Parsee.
• The annual family income of the beneficiary must not exceed Rs 40000/- in rural areas and Rs 55000/- in urban areas
• He should not be a defaulter in respect of loan taken previously from Banks/ Financial Institutions for similar purpose.
Term loan :
Term loan is given for project cost upto Rs. 1,00,000/- on any need based commercially viable scheme. For project cost above 1 lakh upto 5 lakh loan for any scheme can be subject to approval of National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
Margin Money Scheme :
Project cost up to Rs. 5 lakhs is sanctioned by any commercial bank and willing to finance 60% of the project.
West Bengal Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) may provide loan up to 25% of the project cost. However this assistance is subject to a maximum amount of 1.25 lakhs.
The rate of interest will be 4% on receiving requisition from the sanctioning bank. The recovery of the loan will also have to be proportionately shared.
Cluster Loan :
Loan upto Rs 25,000/- is given for any ongoing scheme and repayable in 23 monthly installments.
Micro Financing :
It provides financial assistance to augment income generating activities like small business, trade, tiny/cottage industry, service activity,artisan activity, agriculture or allied activity, transport sector activity. The scheme provides credit through NGOs. The NGOs may finance the beneficiaries directly or through Self Helf Group. Quantam of loan is upto Rs 6000/- per individual for short term (6 to 15 months) and Rs 10000/- for medium term (2 to 3 years).
Swarna-Jayanti Sahari Rojgar Yojana (SJSRY)
Objective:
The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) was launched on 01.12.1997 after subsuming the earlier three schemes for urban poverty alleviation, namely Nehru Rozgar Yojana (NRY), Urban Basic Services for the Poor (UBSP), and Prime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Programme (PMIUPEP). The key objective of the Scheme was to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or underemployed through the setting up of self-employment ventures or provision of wage employment. it also provides supporting skill development and training programmes to enable the urban poor have access to employment opportunities opened up by the market or undertake self-employment; and the target population under SJSRY is the urban poor - those living below the poverty line, as defined by the Planning Commission from time to time.
Components :
SJSRY will have five major components, namely
(i) Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP)
(ii) Urban Women Self-help Programme (UWSP)
(iii) Skill Training for Employment Promotion amongst Urban Poor (STEP-UP)
(iv) Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP)
(v) Urban Community Development Network (UCDN)
Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP) :
This Component will be having two sub-components:
(i) Assistance to individual urban poor beneficiaries for setting up gainful self-employment ventures [Loan & Subsidy]
(ii) Technology/marketing/infrastructure/knowledge & other support provided to the urban poor in setting up their enterprises as well as marketing their products [Technology, Marketing & Other Support]..
Eligibility :
USEP will target the urban population below poverty line, as defined by the Planning Commission from time to time. It will lay special focus on women, persons belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) / Scheduled Tribes (ST), physically challanged persons and such other categories as may be indicated by the Government from time to time. The percentage of women beneficiaries under USEP shall not be less than 30%. SCs and STs must be benefited at least to the extent of the proportion of their strength in the city / town population below poverty line (BPL). A special provision of 3% reservation in the total number of beneficiaries should be made for the physically challanged persons under USEP. In view of the Prime Minister's New 15-Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities, 15% of the physical and financial targets under the Urban Self Employment Programme at the national level shall be earmarked for the minority communities.
No minimum or maximum educational qualification is prescribed for selection of beneficiaries under USEP. Where the identified activity for microenterprise development requires skill training of an appropriate level, the same will be provided to the beneficiaries before extending financial support.
Beneficiary Identification :
A house-to-house survey for identification of genuine beneficiaries, with focus on slums and low-income settlements, will need to be conducted. Model Formats for conduct of slum survey, household survey and livelihoods survey and guidelines will be communicated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation. In addition to the economic criteria of the Urban Poverty Line, noneconomic parameters will also be applied to identify the urban poor for receiving benefits under SJSRY.
Loan Amount :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows :
• Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
• Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-
• Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money
• Collateral - No Collateral required
In case a number of beneficiaries decide to jointly set up a project, such project shall be eligible for a subsidy which will be equal to the total permitted subsidy per person as per the above criteria. In this case too the provision of 5% margin money per beneficiary will apply.
Skill development through appropriate training is another element of this programme. It is intended to provide training in a variety of service and manufacturing trades as well as local skills and local crafts so that the beneficiaries can set up self-employment ventures or secure salaried employment with higher remuneration.
There is sub-scheme under this scheme called “development of women and children in urban areas” which extends special incentives to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group. To be eligible for subsidy under this scheme the group should consist of at least 10 urban poor women. The group society shall be entitled to a subsidy of Rs. 1,25,000/- or 50% of the cost of project, whichever is less.
Beneficiary Identification :
A house-to-house survey for identification of genuine beneficiaries, with focus on slums and low-income settlements, will need to be conducted. Model Formats for conduct of slum survey, household survey and livelihoods survey and guidelines will be communicated by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation. In addition to the economic criteria of the Urban Poverty Line, noneconomic parameters will also be applied to identify the urban poor for receiving benefits under SJSRY.
Loan Amount :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows :
• Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
• Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs.50,000/-
• Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money
• Collateral - No Collateral required
In case a number of beneficiaries decide to jointly set up a project, such project shall be eligible for a subsidy which will be equal to the total permitted subsidy per person as per the above criteria. In this case too the provision of 5% margin money per beneficiary will apply.
Skill development through appropriate training is another element of this programme. It is intended to provide training in a variety of service and manufacturing trades as well as local skills and local crafts so that the beneficiaries can set up self-employment ventures or secure salaried employment with higher remuneration.
There is sub-scheme under this scheme called “development of women and children in urban areas” which extends special incentives to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group. To be eligible for subsidy under this scheme the group should consist of at least 10 urban poor women. The group society shall be entitled to a subsidy of Rs. 1,25,000/- or 50% of the cost of project, whichever is less.
Urban Self Employment Programme (Loan & Subsidy) :
This component of SJSRY focuses on providing assistance to individual urban poor beneficiaries for setting up gainful self-employment ventures - micro-enterprises.
Coverage :
The programme will be applicable to all cities and towns on a whole town basis. Within each town, it will be implemented by selecting whole clusters of the poor segments so as to bring in efficiencies in the administration and the delivery mechanisms and also make the impact visible.
Funding Pattern :
The details of financing pattern under USEP are as follows
Maximum allowable unit project cost - Rs.200,000/-
Maximum allowable subsidy - 25% of the Project Cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 50,000/-.
Beneficiary contribution - 5% of the project cost as margin money.
Collateral - No Collateral required.
Urban women self-help programme (UWSP) :
This Component will be having two sub-components:
(i). Assistance to groups of urban poor women for setting up gainful self-employment ventures - UWSP (Loan & Subsidy)
(ii). Revolving Funds for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) / Thrift & Credit Societies (T&CSs) formed by the urban poor women – UWSP (Revolving Fund).
Urban Women Self-Help Programme (Loan & Subsidy) :
This scheme is distinguished by the special incentive extended to urban poor women who decide to set up self-employment ventures in a group as opposed to individual effort. Groups of urban poor women may take up an economic activity suited to their skill, training, aptitude, and local conditions.
The Urban Wage Employment Programme :
This programme seeks to provide wage employment to beneficiaries living below poverty line by utilizing their labour for construction of socially and economically useful public assets. This programme applies to urban local bodies the population of which was less than 5 lakhs as per 1991 census. The prevailing minimum wage rate, as notified from time to time for each area, shall be paid to beneficiaries under this programme. No educational qualification is required for the scheme.
Urban community development network (UCDN) - community structures, community development & empowerment :
SJSRY shall rest on the foundation of community development and empowerment. Rather than relying on the traditional method of top-down implementation, the Scheme shall rely on establishing and nurturing community organizations and structures that facilitate sustained urban poverty alleviation. Towards this end, community organizations like Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), Neighbourhood Committees (NHCs), and Community Development Societies (CDSs) shall be set up in the target areas.
Swarna-Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY)
Objective:
The main objective of the SGSY is to bring the assisted poor families above the poverty line in three years by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. The scheme covers various aspects of self-employment such as organization of the poor into a self-help group, training, credit, technology, infrastructure and marketing.
Salient features of the scheme :
• The assisted families may be individual or group, however, emphasis is on the group approach. Generally the groups are formed with the members of BPLfamilies only. In some cases 20% and in exceptional cases 30% of the group members may belong to APLfamilies, but the APL members of the groups are far from being office bearer and will not be entitled to get subsidy.
• 50% of the group formed in each block should be exclusively for women who will account for at least 40% of the swarozgaries.
• For selection of key activities, approval of the panchayat samity at the block level and DRD cell zilla parishad at district level are necessary.
• The scheme ensures upgradation of technology in the identified activity cluster. The technology intervention seeks to add value to the local resources, including processing of the locally available material for local and non-local market.
• SGSY provides for promotion of marketing of the goods produced by the swarozgaries.
• SC/ST accounts for at least 15%m of the swarozgaries and disabled for 3%..
Subsidy Norms for SHGs and Disabled persons :
Subsidy under SGSY is uniform @30% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs. 7,500/- in case of individual beneficiaries. In case of SC/STs and disabled, the rate is 50% subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000/-. For group of swarozgaries ,the subsidy is 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10000/- per capita
Expenditure on different component such as training and capacity building, revolving fund, subsidy and infrastructure are to be prioritized by DRD cell based on the local requirements. However, the expenditure on infrastructure should not exceed 20% of total annual allocation.
Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)
Strategies of the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Tribal SubPlan for he Scheduled Tribes (STs) were introduced in the Sixth Plan and Fifth Plan for channelising to these categories of people their due share of plan benefits and outlays. The strategies of Scheduled
Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) envisage to channelise the flow of outlays and benefits from all the sectors of development in the Annual Plans of States/UTs and Central Ministries at least in proportion to their population both in physical and financial terms.
The West Bengal Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe Development and Finance Corporation has launched the Special Component Plan (SCP) scheme for the scheduled caste and Tribal sub Plan (TSP) scheme for scheduled tribe people living below the poverty line. The primary object of these schemes are economic upliftment and augmenting the income of the poor SC/ST people of West Bengal through the process of micro financing. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are:
Beneficiary :
Scheduled caste/ scheduled tribe people on individual or cluster basis, living below the poverty line, whose annual family income is Rs. 19654/- for rural areas and Rs. 27,247/- for urban areas.
Schemes to be financed :
the corporation provides assistance to the target group people for undertaking income generating schemes under six broad sectors like : 9i) agriculture & small irrigation (ii) animal husbandry (iii) fisheries (iv) village industries (v) business & (vi) small transport.
Project cost :
The maximum limit of project cost is Rs. 35,000/- under these medium term lending programme.
Means of finance :
means of finance in these schemes consists of three components. (a) subsidy, (b) margin money, (c) bank loan.
Subsidy is restricted to 50% of project cost or Rs 10,000/- whichever is less. Margin money loan is extended up to the project cost of Rs. 12,000/- @ 20% of the project cost or Rs 2,000/- whichever is less.