Biren urges talented youth to avail StartUp Manipur benefits

Imphal: 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, chief minister N. Biren Singh said on Thursday.

Biren was addressing at StartUp Conclave, 2021, organised by the state planning department at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound on Monday.

A total 5995 beneficiaries have been shortlisted under the scheme so far, out of which, monetary benefits had been provided to 5477 beneficiaries so far, the chief minister said .

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, he added.

Stating that Manipur has many talented and hardworking youths, Biren said it is a matter of great satisfaction that many products manufactured by different firms benefited under the StartUp Manipur scheme are even being exported now.

The scheme has three categories — 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 and differently-abled entrepreneurs. This year another sub-category under Idea stage had been included to address the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on existing small business or trade owners.

Biren expressed gratitude to banks for extending co-operation in the successful implementation of the scheme. He urged them to speed up loan process so that no unnecessary inconvenience is given to 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 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’.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar and works minister Th. Biswajit were present in the conclave.

This year, under the Idea Stage (Covid economic package) Rs 1 lakh each having 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.