MSME Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday informed that more than 5 lakh beneficiaries and projects have been assisted under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).

In reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Giriraj Singh said 5,02,085 beneficiaries and projects have been assisted under PMEGP till 30.11.2018 since its inception in 2008-09.

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.