5,02,085 beneficiaries and projects have been assisted under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in 2018-19 (as on 30.11.2018) since its inception in 2008-09. This was stated by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Giriraj Singh while replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. 

          In reply to another question, the Minister informed the House that targets for the year 2018-19 for assistance under PMEGP have been increased by more than 50% due to increased budget allocation for PMEGP.  He said budgetary allocation for PMEGP, was increased to Rs.1800.64 crore for 2018-19 as against Rs.1024.49 crore during the year 2017-18.   The targeted no. of units to be set up during 2018-19 is 66,700 as against the target of 50,784 in 2017-18. Margin Money of Rs. 1312.40 crore has been disbursed during 2017-18, as against the allocated target under the Budget Estimates of Rs.1004.49 crore, he added. During 2018-19, (as on 30.11.2018), 265,124 applications have been received under PMEGP. Karnataka tops the list with 30,951 applications closely followed by Maharashtra with 27,365 applications. Uttar Pradesh (18,858), Tamil Nadu(16,996), Assam(15,981),Haryana(14,011),Jammu& Kashmir(13,349), Bihar(12,823), Telangana (11,315), Odisha(10,611) and West Bengal (10,010) are the other states with higher no. of applications for assistance under PMEGP.

          Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a flagship credit-linked subsidy programme of Government of India being implemented by the Ministry of MSME. The Scheme is aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth in rural as well as urban areas.

• Under PMEGP, general category beneficiaries can avail of margin money subsidy of 25 % of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/OBC /Minorities/Women, Ex-serviceman, Physically Handicapped, NER, Hill and Border areas etc. the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible. For setting up of projects 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 VIII standard pass educational qualification. The maximum cost of projects is Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector. Benefit can be availed under PMEGP for setting up of new units only. An online PMEGP e- portal https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmegpeportal/pmegphome/index.jsp has beenset up from 1^st July 2016. Entire process is real time and online. The applicant has to apply on the portal and can track the status of the application on the PMEGP-e-portal. There is an online feedback mechanism for providing feedback by the beneficiaries.

          Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal implementation agency at the national level. At the state and district level, state offices of KVIC, Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) and District Industry Centres (DIC) are the implementing agencies.

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MM/KA