Bengaluru, December 4, 2015: The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was launched by the Prime Minister on 15th July, 2015. The policy envisages fostering social entrepreneurship and grassroots innovation by providing support in terms of fiscal incentives, creation of grass root technology innovation hubs, legal support and market linkages. In the entrepreneurship domain, the policy envisages catalysing a culture shift to encourage entrepreneurship, supporting entrepreneurs through entrepreneurship hubs (E-Hubs), inclusivity, promoting entrepreneurship amongst women and ease of doing business.
He said, a number of Ministries are involved for development of entrepreneurship including women entrepreneurship through various programmes and interventions. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) through Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a PSU of DBT, has taken a number of steps to educate and equip potential and early stage entrepreneurs across India through Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), agencies under which conduct entrepreneurship workshops for potential and early stage entrepreneurs across India as well as providing hands-on training through roadshows and organising regulatory compliance workshops. BIRAC has been a pioneer in promoting the innovation research and ecosystem in the country. In order to promote the innovation hubs in the country, it has supported and strengthened the innovative R & D infrastructure in 15 bio-incubators across the country. 5 University Innovation Clusters have been initiated to promote the innovation entrepreneurship at University level. It has supported eleven incubators have 186 incubatees /associates who have been connected to peers and mentors. Further, BIRAC has also supported 155 entrepreneurs through its BIG programme which is implemented by five partners who connect the entrepreneurs to peers and mentors.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today the Minister said, Similarly, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has been implementing special, dedicated schemes for Women entrepreneurship development to facilitate employment opportunity for women. These schemes are Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme) and “Mahila Coir Yojana” throughout the country including Himachal Pradesh. The TREAD Scheme envisages economic empowerment exclusively of women through trade relates training, information and counselling extension activities related to trades, products, services etc. Under the scheme financial loans are provided by Nationalised Banks and grants by Government of India at the rate 30% of the loan subject to maximum limit of Rs 30.00 lakh through NGOs for capacity building and for undertaking self-employment ventures by women in non- farm activities. Under Mahila Coir Yojana, financial assistance is provided for motorized rats for spinning coir yarn to women artisans after giving training. Government provides motorised rats/motorised traditional rats at 75% cost subsidy subject to maximum ceiling of Rs 7500/- for motorised rats and Rs.3200/- for motorised rats. The remaining 25% is raised by the beneficiaries. Fund allocated for these schemes during the current year (2015-16) is Rs 6.70 crore. Since these are Central Sector Schemes, funds are not allocated state /UT wise.
Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)
