Bhubaneswar, April 1: The Centre has provided Rs 358.62 crore to the State for self employment opportunities under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), said MSME Minister Jogendra Behera.
Replying to a question by BJP MLA Dilip Ray in the State Assembly, Behera said the funds have been given to beneficiaries for setting up industries in the State. “However, several tribal districts have not availed the benefits of the programme”, the reply stated.
Behera said a proposal was given for bank loans in exchange of subsidy utilisation of Rs 156.26 crore out of which loan has been provided to 7,912 beneficiaries in exchange of Rs 155.88 crore subsidy utilisation in the past three years.
Around 60,341 people were employed during the period. The jobs were provided to the highest 5,818 people in Cuttack district, while the number was 5,028 in Bhubaneswar, 4,103 in Ganjam, 4,595 in Mayurbhanj and 4,025 people have been employed in Puri district under the scheme in the past three years.
However, tribal districts lag in terms of availing benefits under PMEGP. Only 462 youths have been employed in Boudh district, while the number was 659 in Deogarh, 601 in Gajapati, 317 in Malkangiri, 703 in Nuapada, 547 in Phulbani, 811 in Rayagada, and employment was provided to only 545 people under the scheme in the past 3 years, the Minister said.
