The Stand Up India scheme is an initiative launched by the Government of India to promote entrepreneurship among women and individuals from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Here is the information about the scheme, point by point:
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Objective: The primary objective of the Stand Up India scheme is to facilitate bank loans between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise.
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Eligibility Criteria: The following criteria must be met to be eligible for the Stand Up India scheme:
- The applicant should be a woman or a member of the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
- The age of the applicant should be 18 years or above.
- The borrower should not have defaulted on any previous loans from any bank or financial institution.
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Greenfield Enterprise: The Stand Up India scheme focuses on providing financial support for the establishment of new enterprises in the manufacturing, services, or trading sectors. The term "greenfield enterprise" refers to a first-time venture with no prior exposure or business history.
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Loan Amount: Under the scheme, loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore are provided by banks to eligible borrowers. The loan amount depends on the nature of the business and the borrower's requirements.
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Margin Money: The borrower is required to contribute a minimum of 10% of the project cost as a margin money contribution. This contribution varies based on the loan amount and the borrower's category.
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Loan Repayment: The Stand Up India loans have a repayment period of up to 7 years, with a maximum moratorium period of 18 months. The repayment schedule is designed based on the nature of the business and the borrower's cash flow projections.
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Loan Interest Rate: The interest rates for Stand Up India loans are determined by the banks as per their internal policies. The interest rates are generally competitive and affordable to promote entrepreneurship among the target groups.
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Loan Application Process: Interested individuals can apply for the Stand Up India scheme through participating banks. The application process involves submitting a detailed business plan along with the necessary documents, including KYC (Know Your Customer) documents, income proof, caste certificate (if applicable), etc.
It's important to note that the information provided here is based on the scheme as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. It is advisable to refer to the official government sources or contact the concerned authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the Stand Up India scheme.