The Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) is an initiative launched by the Government of Maharashtra under GR शासन निर्णय क्र. योजना-२०१९/प्र.क्र.१२१/उद्योग ७ dated 01.08.2019. Implemented and monitored by the Directorate of Industries (DOI) under the Industries Department, the scheme aims to encourage entrepreneurship among unemployed youth and those willing to start new ventures. It is executed through District Industries Centers (DICs), the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIB), and partnered banks. The programme supports projects in manufacturing, services, agro-based/primary agro processing, e-vehicle-based goods transport, and other businesses, with different maximum admissible project costs depending on the sector.
Benefits
- Project Cost Limits:
- Manufacturing Sector: Up to ₹50 lakh
- Service, Agro-based/Primary Agro Processing, E-vehicle based, and Single Brand Service Ventures: Up to ₹20 lakh
- Beneficiary Contribution and Subsidy Rates:
- General Category:
- Urban: Beneficiary’s Contribution: 10% | Subsidy: 25%
- Rural: Beneficiary’s Contribution: 15% | Subsidy: 25%
- Special Category (includes SC/ST/Women/Ex-servicemen/Differently Abled/VJNT/OBC/Minority):
- Urban: Beneficiary’s Contribution: 5% | Subsidy: 35%
- Rural: Beneficiary’s Contribution: 25% | Subsidy: 35%
- General Category:
- Financial Support:
Banks provide the balance amount of the total project cost as a term loan, while beneficiaries contribute a small share of the project cost (ranging from 5% to 10% as per category).
Eligibility
- Age:
Applicants must be between 18 and 45 years of age. For Special Category beneficiaries (including SC/ST, Women, Ex-servicemen, Differently Abled, VJNT, OBC, and Minority), the age limit is relaxed by 5 years. - Occupation:
The applicant should be an unemployed youth or someone willing to establish a new venture. - Income:
There is no income criterion specified for eligibility. - Gender & Marital Status:
Both male and female applicants are eligible, regardless of marital status. - Educational Qualification:
- For projects/units costing above ₹10 lakh: Minimum qualification of 7th standard pass.
- For projects/units costing above ₹25 lakh: Minimum qualification of 10th standard pass.
- Family Definition:
Only one person per family (including self and spouse) is eligible. - Exclusions:
Projects/units that have already availed benefits under PMRY, REGP, PMEGP, or any other government subsidy-linked scheme are not eligible.
Application Process
Online – Via the Official Portal
- Online Registration:
- Visit https://maha-cmegp.gov.in.
- Fill in the online application form with all the required details.
- Scrutiny Process:
- At the district level, a District Level Scrutiny and Coordination Sub-Committee (DLSCC), chaired by the respective General Manager of DICs, will review and prepare a preliminary list of eligible applicants.
- The primary eligible applicants list is then approved by the District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) and forwarded to the bank.
- Loan Sanctioning and Training:
- The bank sanctions the term loan. Concurrently, an Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training is provided.
- After successful training and bank sanctioning, the beneficiary may claim the subsidy.
- Subsidy Claim:
- The bank claims the subsidy from the General Manager (GM) of DIC, and after approval from the Head Office, the margin money (beneficiary’s contribution) is re-appropriated into the applicant’s loan account upon completion of three successful years of activity and adherence to the repayment schedule.
Documents Required
- Personal Documents:
- Passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Domicile Certificate
- Educational Certificate (7th standard for projects above ₹10 lakh; 10th standard for projects above ₹25 lakh)
- Project Documents:
- Project Profile detailing the business idea
- Undertaking Form
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Special Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Financial Documents:
- PAN Card
- Population Certificate (for rural applicants)
- Clearance/Approved Certificate from the bank (if working capital is zero for projects costing more than ₹5 lakh)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the maximum project cost allowed under CMEGP?
- Manufacturing: Up to ₹50 lakh
- Service/Agro-based/Primary Agro Processing/E-vehicle based ventures: Up to ₹20 lakh
- Who are the beneficiaries?
Unemployed youth and individuals willing to establish new ventures, with special provisions for beneficiaries from SC/ST, Women, Ex-servicemen, Differently Abled, VJNT, OBC, and Minority categories. - What is the age limit?
Applicants must be between 18 to 45 years, with a relaxation of 5 years for Special Category beneficiaries. - What is the definition of ‘family’ under the scheme?
Only one person per family (self and spouse) is eligible. - Can a unit be set up in an urban area?
Yes, projects can be established in both urban and rural areas. - What are the main criteria for the project?
The project must fall within the admissible cost limits for the manufacturing or service sectors, and the beneficiary must contribute the required percentage of the project cost. - What is the lock-in period for the government subsidy?
The subsidy is re-appropriated into the loan account after three successful years of activity and compliance with the repayment schedule. - Which financial agencies are involved?
The scheme is implemented in collaboration with banks that provide term loans to cover the remaining project cost. - Where does the beneficiary submit his/her application/project?
Applications are submitted online through the official CMEGP portal. - What is the application process?
Applicants register on the CMEGP portal, submit their project details and required documents, undergo district-level scrutiny, and once approved, the loan is sanctioned and the subsidy is claimed.