On the sixth anniversary of ‘Standup India Scheme’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the initiative as a part of the Government’s efforts to channelise India’s entrepreneurial energy.
About the ‘Standup India’ scheme –
- Stand Up India scheme was launched in April 2016 by the Central Government.
- The Stand-Up India scheme is based on recognition of the challenges faced by SC, ST and women entrepreneurs in setting up enterprises, obtaining loans and other support needed from time to time for succeeding in business.
- The scheme therefore endeavours to create an eco-system which facilitates and continues to provide a supportive environment for doing business.
- Objectives –
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- To promote entrepreneurship amongst women, Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories.
- To help them in starting a greenfield enterprise in manufacturing, services or the trading sector and activities allied to agriculture.
- Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance is the implementing agency of the scheme.
Features –
- The scheme facilitates bank loans between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.1 crore to at least one SC/ST borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch of Scheduled Commercial Banks.
- The scheme, which covers all branches of Scheduled Commercial Banks, will be accessed in three potential ways:
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- Directly at the branch
- Through Stand-Up India Portal
- Through the Lead District Manager
- Handholding Support – Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) provides guidance to prospective entrepreneurs in their endeavour to set up business enterprises, starting from training to filling up loan applications, as per bank requirements.
Eligibility –
- SC/ST and/or women entrepreneurs, above 18 years of age;
- Loans under the scheme are available for only green field projects. Green field signifies; in this context, the first time venture of the beneficiary in manufacturing, services or the trading sector and activities allied to agriculture;
- In case of non-individual enterprises, 51% of the shareholding and controlling stake should be held by either SC/ST and/or Women Entrepreneur;
- Borrowers should not be in default to any bank/financial institution;
- The Scheme envisages ‘up to 15%’ margin money which can be provided in convergence with eligible Central/State schemes. The borrower shall be required to bring in minimum of 10% of the project cost as own contribution.
Performance –
- By March 2022, Rs 30,160 crore has been sanctioned to 1,33,995 accounts under the Stand Up India Scheme.
- The scheme has benefited 1,08,250 women entrepreneurs so far.
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