Scheme benefit denial alleged

Self-employment programme aspirants get call letter too late

District Industries Centre had invited applications for the PMEGP, an ambitious programme to provide employment for the jobless educated youth. More than 300 eligible people had applied for the scheme and interviews were held last month.

However, the call letters have not reached more than 100 candidates on time. They have received the call only after the interview was over and thus deprived of the opportunity to take up self-employment. The hurry to complete the process within the end of the financial year is alleged to be the reason for the faux pas.

The applications for the  ambitions employment generation scheme should normally be invited and interviews conducted in the month of April and May, which however, has not been done by the authorities concerned. The selection of candidates, training and sanction of financial aid must be completed with March. But, all these processes have not been conducted according to schedule. They were set in motion only in the month of December.

Training not conducted

The selected candidates too have their share of worry. Training has not been yet imparted to them and loans cannot be sanctioned without the completion of the training. They apprehend of losing the benefit if the loan is not disbursed within March.

The aspirants for the scheme have charged the Department with failure to furnish proper information on self-employment schemes. They have demanded interview for those who have been deprived of the opportunity.

The self-employment aspirants have appealed the Union Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily, who represents the constituency, to direct appropriate measures.