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Policy correction: Now KVIC to directly clear job proposals

New Delhi: Aiming to accelerate the pace of employment generation in the country, the Centre has taken a very significant policy decision by doing away with the role of District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) in recommending the proposals under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). Notably DLTFC is headed by the district collectors.

As per the amended guidelines, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the nodal agency for implementing PMEGP scheme, after due diligence, will directly clear the proposals/applications of the prospective entrepreneurs and will forward it to the banks for taking credit decisions.

As of now, the proposals were scrutinised by the DLTFC that often led to inordinate delays in sanctioning of the projects, a release issued by the KVIC said.

Hailing the decision, KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena tanked Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for taking swift action in the interest of the country. "A major bottleneck has been removed with the discontinuation of the DLTFC in approving the projects under PMEGP," Saxena said.

The Centre's move has come at a time when the employment sector has taken a hit due to nationwide lockdown in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. The amendment in the policy would pave the way for swift implementation of projects and create new employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas under the PMEGP scheme.

It was noticed that the district collectors/magistrates heading the DLTFC were often preoccupied with local administrative issues and hence works pertaining to the approval of PMEGP applications was not on their priority list.

Proposals under the scheme remained pending for several months as the district collectors failed to convene monthly meetings on a regular basis. On the request of KVIC Chairman Saxena, Union Minister Gadkari immediately intervened and made necessary amendments.

"We are grateful that the minister accepted our request and decided to discontinue the role of DLTFC. This will ensure swift and timely implementation of the projects and the decision will safeguard the interest of lakhs of people in the country seeking employment opportunities under PMEGP," Saxena said.

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