Further, Govt. of India through Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), which has the target to generate self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises for non-farm sector. The maximum cost of projects covered under the Scheme is Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector. Benefit can be availed under PMEGP for setting up of new units only. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories (such as Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/OBC /minorities/women, ex-serviceman, physically handicapped, NER, Hill and Border areas, etc.), the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas.
The State-wise break-up (including West Bengal) of micro units established by women under PMEGP, during the period from 2018-19 to 2019-20, is given in Annexure-II. The details about the beneficiaries covered in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and North Dinajpur of West Bengal for the last three years (i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20) are as under:-:
| Name of the District | Number of units established pertaining to women entrepreneurs | Margin money Subsidy disbursed(Rs. In lakh) | Employment Opportunities generated |
| Darjeeling | 66 | 152.71 | 270 |
| Kalimpong | 04 | 13.88 | 42 |
| North Dinajpur | 06 | 10.56 | 53 |
| 76 | 177.15 | 365 |
Furthermore, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Skill development program through Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) enabling a trainee to take Bank credit and start his/her own Micro-enterprise. RSETIs is a Bank led initiative of Ministry of Rural Development, set up with dedicated infrastructure in each district of the country sponsored, managed and run by Banks with active co-operation from the Government of India and State Government. Presently 585 RSETIs are functional in 27 states (except Goa) and 6 UTs (except Delhi, Chandigarh and Daman & Diu).
The scheme is applicable to all the categories including women. Any unemployed youth in the age group of 18-45 years, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender and economic status, having aptitude to take up self-employment or wage employment and having some basic knowledge in the related field can undergo training under RSETI. The State/UT-wise total and women candidates trained and settled during the last three years (i.e. 2018-19 to 2020-21) is given in Annnexure-III.
