Assam: Government Launches 'Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan' Scheme

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• Dec 8, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Assam government officially opened the registration process for the 'Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan' today...

Digital Desk: In a decisive move towards fostering self-reliance and entrepreneurship among the youth, the Assam government officially opened the registration process for the 'Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan' today. The launch event, graced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Dispur, marked the beginning of a visionary scheme aimed at empowering aspiring entrepreneurs.

The scheme, designed to bolster self-employment opportunities, will extend financial support to individuals, nurturing their entrepreneurial dreams. Chief Minister Sarma revealed that the initiative intends to support 2 lakh youths over a two-year period by disbursing financial aid of 2 lakh rupees in two installments directly into their bank accounts.

Addressing the gathering, CM Sarma outlined the structure of the scheme, emphasizing that one lakh rupees from the total sum is treated as a subsidy, exempting beneficiaries from repayment obligations to the government. "We aspire to bring forth 2 lakh entrepreneurs in the state within two years through this scheme. To facilitate this, we will provide Rs 2 lakhs in two installments, with the first installment being one lakh rupees, directly through bank accounts," he said.

The second installment of one lakh rupees, constituting a loan, is repayable over a ten-year period without interest. Sarma clarified that the repayment term commences after five years of establishing the business, ensuring a conducive environment for entrepreneurship.

The scheme delineates two categories based on educational qualifications. Unemployed degree holders in diverse fields such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, and fisheries qualify for assistance of Rs 5 lakhs, with half as a subsidy. Meanwhile, postgraduates, general graduates, and ITI pass-outs are eligible for Rs 2 lakhs, including a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh.

Furthermore, special provisions cater to students from Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) with a minimum qualification of Class 10, extending benefits from the higher category.

Eligibility parameters encompass an age limit of 28 years, extending to 40 years for the general category and 43 years for ST, SC, and OBC applicants.

CM Sarma articulated the scheme's strategic exemption from impacting beneficiaries' CIBIL scores, ensuring their creditworthiness remains intact. "The initial disbursement of funds will not reflect as a loan in their CIBIL scores. This will enable them to access further financial support from banks and schemes like MUDRA," he said.

Moreover, the CM underscored a stringent review process for the second installment, clarifying that its disbursal hinges on the business's progress. Unsatisfactory reports will redirect the amount to another deserving beneficiary.

This initiative aligns with the Bharatiya Janata Party's promise to generate 100,000 jobs for unemployed youths in Assam, emphasizing the government's commitment to empowering the state's workforce. Earlier distributions of appointment letters to over 44,703 newly recruited candidates from various government departments during Home Minister Amit Shah's visit and the creation of 88,000 jobs in the past two and a half years affirm the administration's dedication to bolstering employment opportunities in Assam.

The launch of 'Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan' stands as a pivotal step towards fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and ensuring economic growth and self-sufficiency among the youth in Assam.