Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said that the StartUp Manipur Scheme is supporting dynamic youths with promising innovative ideas, and Rs 114.56 crore has been sanctioned to different beneficiaries of different categories so far. At least 5995 beneficiaries had been shortlisted under the scheme so far, out of which, monetary benefits had been provided to 5477 beneficiaries so far.
He was speaking as the chief guest at StartUp Conclave, 2021, organised by the State Planning department at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound Monday. Although StartUp was launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manipur did not have StartUp scheme until the new BJP-led state government introduced it in March 2018.
Stating that Manipur has many talented and hardworking youth, the chief minister said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that many products manufactured by different firms which availed the benefits StartUp Manipur scheme are even being exported now.
The chief minister further said that StartUp Manipur has three categories namely Revenue, Idea and Entrepreneurs Support Scheme (ESS) earlier. StandUp Manipur was added in 2019-20 to promote the first-time venture of SC/ST/OBC/ women/ Minority/ differently-abled entrepreneurs. This year, N Biren Singh added, another sub-category under Idea stage to address the impact of COVID pandemic on existing small business/trade owners.
Expressing gratitude to banks for extending co-operation in the successful implementation of the scheme, N. Biren Singh, however, urged them to speed up loan process so that no unnecessary inconvenience is given to the applicants. He also urged the people of the state especially talented and hardworking entrepreneurs to take the opportunity of availing benefits under StartUp Manipur for the economic prosperity of the state.
The chief minister also announced that ‘Go to Village 2.0’ would commence from November, and it would be implemented alongside ‘Chief Minister’s Health for All’.
Speaking as the functional president, deputy chief minister Y Joykumar observed that using the benefits of StartUp Manipur, beneficiaries should develop their business bit by bit to progress to a larger scale. He also expressed hope that such entrepreneurs would definitely contribute to bringing economic prosperity to the State.
Works Minister Th Biswajit, in his speech, said that StartUp would enable prime minister Narendra Modi’s slogan, ‘Vocal for Local’ and make Manipur realize ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant). With the introduction of StartUp Manipur, the Minister said that there has been a constant growth in the number of industries and entrepreneurs in the State.
It may be mentioned that this year, under the Idea Stage (COVID economic package) Rs. 1 lakh each with Rs. 30,000 subsidy will be provided to 4500 beneficiaries. This amount may be enhanced up to Rs. 3 lakh according to the performance of the beneficiary. On the other hand, benefits worth Rs. 1.2 crore (Rs. 3 lakh of each beneficiary) will be provided to 40 beneficiaries under Idea Stage (Innovative). Under Revenue Stage, new sanctions will be issued to 72 beneficiaries while 48 benefits have been selected under StandUp.
