Implementation of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in Nagaland continues to face challenges including limited bank sanctions, demands for collateral, inadequate loan amounts and slow credit processing at rural branches, the Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board (NKVIB) said during a review meeting with Governor Nand Kishore Yadav here on Friday.
The Board said around 600–700 entrepreneurs, particularly unemployed youth, are setting up units every year under PMEGP, a KVIC program, that provides margin money assistance to individuals, entrepreneurs, institutions and societies for establishing self-employment and village industry units.
Yadav reviewed the functioning of the NKVIB at Lok Bhavan, Kohima, where the Board presented its performance under PMEGP for the last three years, including targets and bank sanctions across all 16 districts.
The meeting also took up difficulties faced by beneficiaries in accessing credit. The Board highlighted limited bank sanctions, collateral requirements in some cases, inadequate loan amounts and delays in processing applications at rural bank branches.
The functioning of the Multi-Disciplinary Training Centre (MDTC) at Dimapur was also reviewed. The centre provides training in trades including weaving, knitting, tailoring and embroidery, leather work, carpentry, laundry soap making and beekeeping, besides entrepreneurship programmes.
The Board also apprised the Governor of infrastructure projects being undertaken with support from the North Eastern Council, including the Common Facility Centre and Emporium for Handloom and Handicraft at Agri Expo, Dimapur, and the Centre for Promotion of Indigenous Handloom and Handicrafts at Diezephe.
Construction of a Handicraft Facility Centre at Kohima, which began on April 1 this year, is currently underway, while a Common Facility Centre-cum-Training Centre at Kohima is nearing completion.
The proposed Khadi Plaza at Dimapur, intended to provide a platform for displaying and selling handloom and handicraft products from the northeastern states, is also expected to be inaugurated soon.
The Governor reviewed the programs and projects with emphasis on entrepreneurship, skill development, employment generation and promotion of indigenous handloom, handicraft and Khadi products in the State.
