PMRY, NREGP to be merged as PMEGP

Tiruchirapalli, Apr 1 (UNI) Centrally sponsored credit-linked subsidy schemes-- the Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP), would be merged and known as Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) from the current finacial year, according to official sources.

The sources told UNI here today that the reason for the merger of these two schemes being implemented by the Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Ministry through different agencies with varying parameters, was intended to target the same set of beneficiaries.

The proposed PMEGP would have electronic tracking of applications from potential beneficiaries, aggressive publicity of the Credit Guarantee Trust Fund Scheme among banks and beneficiaries, earmark upfront physical and financial targets, involve gram panchayats in publicising the scheme, besides measures to expand and strengthen training facilities for the beneficiaries, the sources said.

The subsidy would be increased from the existing levels in respect of micro enterprises to be set up by the marginalised sections. More micro enterprises up to Rs 5 lakh were proposed to be set up to benefit rural beneficiaries and help them become entrepreneurs.

A proposal in this regard was at an advanced stage of consideration, the sources said adding with the Centre's approval, a note from the Union Ministry was being circulated to the agencies relating to implementation of the schemes.

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