Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 October 2025
The District Industries Centre (DIC), Department of Industries, A&N Administration, Sri Vijaya Puram, conducted a series of Awareness-cum-Motivational Programmes on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and other government-sponsored schemes across various locations in Shaheed Dweep.
The programmes, organized in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), banks, and tour operators, were held at the Gram Panchayat Office, Vegetable Market Hall, and Laxmanpur No. 1. The initiative aimed to disseminate information about self-employment opportunities available under PMEGP and other incentive-oriented schemes of the department.
Around 60 aspiring entrepreneurs from different parts of the island participated enthusiastically in the sessions. Participants were encouraged to explore self-employment ventures in the manufacturing, service, and business sectors by availing benefits under PMEGP. The event also included an interactive session where officials addressed queries on scheme operations, training, subsidies, and application timelines — many of which were resolved on the spot.
During the programme, seven participants expressed their interest in availing financial assistance under PMEGP. They received hands-on guidance on the online documentation and application process. The interested youths proposed projects such as car and bike rentals, gyms and spas, packaged drinking water manufacturing, and drone-based digital video studios.
In addition to promoting entrepreneurship, the DIC also conducted an assessment of ongoing projects and loan recovery performance under PMEGP in Shaheed Dweep. A recovery drive, carried out in association with Canara Bank, was organized to encourage defaulters to make timely repayments and thereby qualify for second loans under the scheme.
The awareness campaign reflected the administration’s continued efforts to foster entrepreneurship and self-reliance among the island’s youth.
