Jute Diversification Scheme

DETAILS The scheme "Jute Diversification Scheme" was launched by the National Jute Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The scheme aims to spread jute diversification programs, provide training, and create sustained employment by setting up Jute Resource-cum-Production Centres across the country. The scheme provides basic, advanced, and design training in jute diversified products manufacturing, financial incentives for collaborating agencies, and subsidies for procuring machinery. The applicant must be a registered agency or entrepreneur with at least three years of experience in product identification, bulk production, skill training, and marketing of jute diversified products. The scheme is implemented by the National Jute Board. The applications for this scheme are accepted online through the official website, followed by a hard copy submission. BENEFITS Financial Assistance for Activities The scheme provides an estimated cost of ₹12,40,000/- for organizing 5 cycles of basic, advance, and design training for 24 beneficiaries per cycle. Incentive for Collaborating Agencies: The agency receives ₹2,48,000/- (calculated as 20% of the activity cost) for organizing the activities and maintaining the infrastructure. Infrastructure Support The scheme provides ₹12,000/- for the installation of a biometric machine, internet connectivity, and maintenance. Machinery Subsidy The scheme offers ₹9,00,000/- per year per centre to procure 72 machines (at 50% subsidy or a maximum ceiling of ₹12,500/- per machine, whichever is less) for successful beneficiaries engaged in production. Disbursal 50% of the activities cost is released as an advance along with the approval of the action plan. The remaining 50% of the activities cost, the cost of the biometric machine, and the incentive are released upon successful completion of the activities and submission of final claims and reports. The machine subsidy is released in two installments, where 50% is released within one month of installation, and the remaining 50% is released after six months upon inspection certifying that the beneficiaries are engaged in manufacturing and sales. The payments of such incentives are paid strictly through Direct Bank Transfer. Conditions The collaborating agency must ensure the engagement of at least 50% of the trainees in jute diversification activities post-training. In the case of self-employment, the beneficiary must achieve sales of at least ₹5,000/- per month or ₹15,000/- per quarter. The agency must maintain a separate bank account for all advances and limit cash transactions to a maximum of ₹5,000/- per activity. The installation of an Aadhaar linked biometric attendance machine and a webcam is mandatory at the training site. ELIGIBILITY The applicant must be a bonafide Indian agency or an Indian citizen. The applicant must be a reputed registered jute entrepreneur, manufacturer, exporter, merchant trader, non-governmental organization, cooperative society, federation, public sector undertaking, or organization. The applicant must be engaged in the product identification, bulk production, skill trainings, and marketing of jute diversified products for at least the last three years. The applicant should possess recognized experience in the training, promotion, and development of Women Self Help Groups in the field of production and marketing of jute diversified products, handlooms, or handicrafts. The applicant must have their own office of at least 250 sq.ft. equipped with a telephone or mobile connection, a computer or laptop, and email facilities. The applicant must have at least 500 sq.ft. of space available for setting up the Jute Resource-Cum-Production Centre. The applicant must obtain a minimum of 50 marks in the evaluation criteria to be eligible for consideration for selection.  Preference Preference is given to recognized agencies with at least three years of experience in training, promotion, and development of Women Self Help Groups in the handloom, handicrafts, and textiles sector. Earmarking/Reservation At least 70% of the training beneficiaries must be individual women or women belonging to Women Self Help Groups. Relaxation If an entrepreneur collaborates with the purpose of converting the centre into a full-fledged manufacturing unit by employing at least 50% of its trainees, the condition of training over 70% women will not be applicable. Post-Selection Conditions The applicant must sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Jute Board. The applicant must submit an annual action plan supported by a list of confirmed bonafide trainees. The applicant must submit a bank guarantee equivalent to 50% of the activities cost of the approved cycles. The applicant must set up the centre by procuring and installing new branded machineries within one month from the date of the in-principle approval.