The Ministry of MSME, through its various schemes and programmes and policy initiatives, encourages micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) including those owned by differently abled people in the country, including in the State of Chhatisgarh. The Ministry of MSME’s schemes/programmes inter alia include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP), Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme (PMSS), International Cooperation scheme, Tool Rooms, Technology Centre System Programme, National SC/ST Hub (NSSH), MSME Champions, etc. In addition, Ministry of MSME launched ‘PM Vishwakarma’ Scheme on 17.09.2023 to provide benefits to the artisans and craftspeople, working with their hands and tools, engaged in 18 trades covered under the Scheme. 

As per the existing guidelines of National Award Scheme of Ministry of MSME, there is a provision of 2 Nos. of National Award to Entrepreneurs belonging to ‘Divyang’ Category with Cash Prize of Rs. 3 Lakh each along with Trophy and Certificate. In addition to it, under the Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme, 100% Subsidy is provided on built space rent paid by the units owned by Physically Handicapped Persons on minimum stall size of the event for Micro and Small Enterprises in domestic trade fairs.

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 with a 10% contribution of the project cost by the beneficiary whereas, for differently abled beneficiaries, the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban area with a 5 % contribution of the project cost by the beneficiary. The Ministry of MSME does not maintain any State/district/industry-wise data on revenue generated by the enterprises being run by differently abled people.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

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MJPS/NSK

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