Self-Employment Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Tribes

Description
The "Self-Employment Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Tribes" scheme by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Uttarakhand. It aims to promote self-employment and sustainable livelihood among scheduled caste/ scheduled tribe families living below the poverty line. Under this scheme, provides loans through various banks to scheduled caste families living below the poverty line for projects up to ₹20,000 to ₹7,00,000/- in agriculture, services, business, and transport. The scheme offers a government subsidy of 50% of the project cost or a maximum of ₹10,000/-. Illustrative Ventures: Agricultural Equipment, Automobile Workshops, Band Parties, Orchestras, Beauty Parlors, Bicycle Repair, Biogas Plants, Barber Shops, Bookbinding, Brick Making, Bullock Carts, Cable Tv, Candle Making, Greeting Card Making, Carpet Industry, Cloth Business, Copper Industry, Departmental Stores, Dhabas and Restaurants, Driving Schools, Fruit and Flower Production, Flour and Rice Mills, Goat Rearing, Bakeries, General Stores Pansari Ki Dukan , Hosiery, Bamboo Furniture Making, Wooden Furniture Making, Leather Goods Manufacturing, Shoe Making, Cement Block Making, Beekeeping, Nursing Homes, Poultry Farming, Printing Presses, Pottery Work, Sweet Shops, Tailoring Shops, Tire Servicing, Lamination, PCO/STD Booths, Tent Houses, Auto-taxis, Marble Polishing, Sale and Repair of Electrical Goods, Fast Food Shops, Etc.

Benefits
• Loan Amount: Project loans from ₹20,000/- to ₹7,00,000/- through nationalized banks.
• Subsidy: 50% of the project cost or up to ₹10,000/- as government subsidy.
• Margin Money: 25% of project cost provided at 4% annual interest.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Castes and Tribes community.
2. The applicant must be living below the poverty line.
3. The applicant annual income must not exceed ₹15,975/- in rural areas and ₹21,206/- in urban areas.
4. The applicant must not be a defaulter of any bank or financial institution.
5. The applicant must not have availed any subsidy from any government scheme earlier.
6. The applicant must possess a commercial driving license.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant downloads the application form from the official website.
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Step 1: The interested applicant downloads the application form from the official website.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Village Development Officer/Assistant Social Welfare Officer/Block Development Officer.
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Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the Village Development Officer/Assistant Social Welfare Officer/Block Development Officer.

Required Documents
• Passport-size Photograph.
• BPL Card.
• Caste Certificate (Issued by Tehsildar).
• Income Certificate (Issued by Tehsildar/BDO).
• Bank Details.
• Any Other Document if Required.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can apply for this scheme?
A: Only Scheduled Caste individuals living below the poverty line in Uttarakhand.

Q: Is there any subsidy provided?
A: Yes, up to 50% of the project cost or a maximum of ₹10,000.

Q: What is margin money?
A: 25% of the project cost provided at 4% interest rate by the Corporation.

Q: Which sectors are eligible under this scheme?
A: Agriculture, service, business, transport sectors are covered.
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Q: Is a business plan required?
A: Yes, a project proposal must be submitted.

Q: What is the application fee?
A: There is no application fee.

Q: How is the applicant selected?
A: Beneficiaries are selected through open meetings of Gram Sabhas in rural areas and through interviews in urban areas.

Q: What happens if the applicant defaults on the loan?
A: The applicant not eligible to apply under this scheme.

Q: Can I apply online?
A: No, the process is offline for the application.

Q: What is the interest rate on the loan?
A: 4% annually on the margin money.