An emergency meeting of the beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) 2017-18 was convened on September 15 at the Youth Hostel, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Phungreitang, Ukhrul. Awung Luikham was selected to chair the meeting.
After more than two hours of deliberation, the meeting resolved that the pending PMEGP sanction order should be issued on or before September 22.
But there is also an apprehension that the sanction order of the PMEGP 2017-18 is likely to be clubbed with 2018-19 and thereby resulting in further delay, said Awung Luikham.
It has been reported that the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) 2017-18 implemented in Ukhrul District has turned out to be a disappointment for the selected beneficiaries numbering 115 members.
One of the beneficiaries, S. Khayi informed that the directorate of commerce and industries, government of Manipur, vide Letter No. A-1/DI/PS-2017, dated April 10, 2018 had spelled out directives for taking necessary action towards releasing the sanction order.
Further, in the month of August 2018, the general manager, District Industries Centre, Ukhrul had also issued a letter subject to ‘ Progress Report of Sanctioned under PMEGP 2017-18’ letter No. 7/57/DIC-UKL/2018/143 Ukhrul, dated August 16th, 2018. He also informed that the process of selection-interview, physical spot verification, documents upload etc had all been completed and submitted to the concerned local banks by middle of March, 2018.
And although the PMEGP is an on-going programme, there are guidelines that sanctions for the beneficiaries should be made within a specific duration. So far, with the exception of a certain bank, the beneficiaries are yet to get their dues, added S. Khayi.
Another aspect of the PMEGP is the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), a training course that the beneficiaries have to undergo which is conducted by the state Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs). So far there is no clear cut programme about initiating the same. The selected beneficiaries are entitled to undergo the said EDP which is mandatory. Applicants need not wait for sanctions of loan but can undertake EDP as per the guidelines.
Some beneficiaries of PMEGP 2017-18 had undergone the EDP training programme in the month of August, 2018 and yet no sanction has been made so far, informed another beneficiary who wanted to remain anonymous. The beneficiaries who had undergone the EDP training programme have demanded immediate sanction of the scheme money.
The meeting concluded that the EDP for PMEGP 2017-18 be scheduled with immediate effect and not be linked to the sanction order.
Amung Luikham stated that the selected beneficiaries of the PMEGP 2017-18 are consternated by the constant delays while asserting that it amounts to gross negligence. He further stated that they are compelled to go to the press to draw attention to their plight.
The meeting also resolved that “If their rightful demand is not met on or before September 22, the body would take up further steps including legal course of action if deemed necessary,” he added.
Source Imphal Free Press
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