SHILLONG: The performance of Meghalaya under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is the poorest among the northeastern states in the financial year 2017-18, a report said.
The report on the status of Meghalaya under PMEGP showed only 8 per cent progress in the scheme in the previous financial year.
Though the scheme is for providing opportunities to jobless youths, there are allegations that class I and class II contractors have been given preference over eligible candidates who are in need of such schemes.
Out of the 1,006 proposals forwarded to the District Level Task Force Committee in the state, 707 were recommended by the committee to bankers. Interestingly, bankers disbursed loan to only 210 entrepreneurs having project cost of Rs 304.47 lakh.
However, Symper Majaw, the general manager of East Khasi Hills District Commerce and Industries Centre, refuted the allegations saying beneficiaries were cross-checked and the selection was done by the district task force.
According to him, most of the beneficiaries are not contractors “though they could become one after a successful venture”.
Majaw was speaking at a press conference on PMEGP and other schemes organised by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at Hotel Pegasus Crown in the city on Friday.
In the zonal review meeting held in Guwahati on January 31, all banks had agreed that they would take credit decision on the 544 pending proposals lying with different bank branches in Meghalaya by February 28.
When asked about the hindrances faced by the beneficiaries in acquiring loans, convener of State Level Banker’s Committee, State Bank of India, G. Vijay Kumar said it all depends on the viability of the projects and whether borrowers have the capacity.
“There are certain parameters the banks use to check the viability of projects,” said Kumar as he raised concerns over units getting defunct.
On the other hand, Majaw said bankers need report and banks are not at fault as most of the beneficiaries do not complete the formalities.
Since KVIC follows the Gandhian principles, processing of meat is not allowed although authorities at the programme assured to take the matter to the higher-ups to allow processing of meat.
