Ludhiana: Applications and subsidy disbursals under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) have been halted in Ludhiana for the past month due to an ongoing data migration to an upgraded online portal.District Industries Centre (DIC) officials confirmed that integrating existing records with the new “PMEGP Portal 2.0” has caused temporary technical disruptions, placing new applications and margin money subsidy cases on hold. Operations are expected to resume in the coming days once the system stabilises.“Currently, applications under the scheme are on hold for about a month because the data is being integrated in the new portal. Once it is completed, applications and processing would be resumed,” a DIC official said.Upgraded portal to offer faster processingOfficials noted that PMEGP Portal 2.0 aims to offer faster processing, simplified workflows, improved accessibility, and a user-friendly interface for beneficiaries, lending banks, and implementing agencies.Implemented nationally by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)—and locally via State KVIBs and DICs—the flagship Union MSME ministry scheme funds self-employment through new micro-enterprises. Under current norms, maximum eligible project costs stand at ₹50 lakh for manufacturing units and ₹20 lakh for business/service sector projects.Subsidy rates, financial norms remain intactSubsidy rates (margin money assistance) vary by category and location: General category applicants receive 25% in rural areas and 15% in urban areas, requiring a 10% personal contribution. Special category beneficiaries (SC, ST, OBC, women, minorities, ex-servicemen, and PwD) receive up to 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas, requiring a 5% personal contribution, with bank loans covering the remaining funding.Applicants awaiting approvals are eagerly anticipating the portal’s launch. “I hope that the portal resumes soon, because I want to apply under this scheme, but I have been told that applications are on hold because of some update of the portal. It would hopefully be done soon,” resident Sarabjot said.
