Himachal’s job creation scheme has a slow start

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 9

Himachal Pradesh’s transformative startup scheme that was launched with much fanfare about two years ago “to turn the educated youth from job seekers to job creator” has so far attracted only 158 proposals.    

The Department of Industries has already sent the proposed projects to eight identified incubators in different parts of the state for hand-holding, the government officials said.

Most of the projects have been sent to IIT Mandi (37 proposals) for incubation. JP University of Information Technology (JUIT), Waknaghat, has been selected to nurture 33 proposals, CSIR Palampur (23), NIT Hamirpur (20), Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, and the Biotechnology Department, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, 15 each, officials said.

The department has sent six startup proposals to the Agriculture University, Palampur, and one has been received by the Environment, Science and Technology Council (ESTC). Besides the eight incubators, the state government has also added the Environment, Science and Technology Council (ESTC) as an incubator.

As per the scheme, each project is eligible for a sustenance allowance of Rs 25,000 per month and a marketing/commercialisation assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh. Besides, the project is also allowed reimbursement against patent filing cost up to Rs 2 lakh in India and Rs 10 lakh for an overseas patent.

Officials in the District Industries Centre, Solan, said, the scheme is yet to catch up in a big way.  There is, however, some positive outcome of the scheme. Anuj Sharma, a Shimla-based entrepreneur, is one the first investors to receive an allowance of Rs 25,000 under this project. He has developed a web portal to facilitate tourists to get reviews of tourism destinations, particularly lesser-known sites. His website has been running on a pilot basis. He has been assisted by JUIT and he is also an alumnus of the same university. 

Most of the proposals are rejected as the entrepreneurs were not serious and did not show up after the initial process, the officials said. Initially, 46 proposals were received by the JP University out of which 14 were rejected due to lack of interest by the entrepreneurs.

Himachal Pradesh Director Industries Rajesh Sharma said the scheme is gradually catching up with youngsters who were coming up with innovative ideas to set up their own ventures, particularly in the fields such as food processing and tourism services.