New Delhi, June 24 (KNN) Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) scheme, the estimated employment generated in micro enterprises has increased from 3.58 lakh to 5.87 lakh during the year 2014-15 to 2018-19, said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

In a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Gadkari said “the estimated employment generated (number of persons) in micro enterprises during the years 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 are 3.58 lakhs, 3.23 lakhs, 4.08 lakhs, 3.87 lakhs and 5.87 lakhs, respectively.”

The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) was launched by the Government of India to make available collateral-free credit to the micro and small enterprise sector, he added.

In addition, he asserted that the Ministry has established 18 Tool Rooms for integrated development of the industries by way of providing quality tools, trained personnel and consultancy in tooling and related areas and upgradation of technology.

During the year 2017-18 and 2018-19, these 18 tool rooms provided training to 1.47 lakh and 2.08 lakh persons respectively, which has also helped them in self-employment, said Gadkari.

Besides this, the Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector of economy, fast tracking various projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme ( MGNREGA), Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM), Gadkari informed the members.

He said “The Make in India, Skill India, Digital India schemes are being implemented by the Government and these are likely to enhance the employment base. MUDRA and START UP schemes have been initiated by the Government for facilitating self-employment.”

In order to improve the employability of youth, Ministries/Departments run skill development schemes across various sectors. Government has also implemented the National Career Service (NCS) Project.

Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protshahan Yojana has been initiated in the year 2016-17 for incentivizing industry for promoting employment generation, Gadkari further added.