January 25, 2019
Bangla Govt working for the empowerment of self-help groups
The State Self-Help Group and Self-Employment (SHG&SE) Department administers various schemes and services for the self-help groups (SHG). This plethora of services ensures a steady generation of self-employment opportunities. Women have been especially benefitted through the SHGs, empowering them through economic self-sufficiency.
Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasanasthan Prakalpa (SVSKP)
There are two types of services under this scheme: Atmasamman and Atmamaryada. Under Atmasamman, any project costing up to Rs 25 lakh, for SHGs with five or more members, will be funded. Under Atmamaryada, any project costing up to Rs 10 lakh, for individuals or jointly up to four persons, will be funded.
The age limits are 18 and 45 years. The monthly family income of the applicant has to be within Rs 15,000. The funding pattern of a project is as follows: five per cent will be own funding, 30 per cent will be government subsidy (maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh for Atmamaryada and Rs 3.5 lakh for Atmasamman), and the balance 65 per cent will be bank loan as per the current rate of interest.
West Bengal Swanirbhar Sahayak Prakalpa
Under this interest subsidy scheme for SHGs, on timely repayment of bank loan by an SHG, it will get an effective rate of interest of only two per cent per annum. The interest subsidy will be directly credited to the bank account of the SHG.
Karmatirtha
Karmatirthas are training centres-cum-sales outlets built by the SHG&SE Department at the block level and in district headquarters to promote products made by SHGs. The stalls are distributed through the Employment Bank.
Samaj Sathi
Samaj Sathi is an insurance scheme for members of SHGs. It is meant to provide them with social security under the accident insurance scheme. The insurerd are provided with smart cards. Each members of an SHG is covered up to Rs 2 lakh. Their entire premium is borne by the State Government.
Details about the above can be had from the West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Limited, or the block office, or the district self-help group and self-employment official, of the local supervisor of the particular scheme (‘Prakalpo Sahayak’ in Bengali).
