WB Self Help Group & Self Employment Dept. Schemes List 2026 in West Bengal

West Bengal Self Help Group and Self Employment Department runs a large number of schemes for self help groups to help women and unemployed youth across the state. These schemes were launched under the leadership of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and continue under the new state government. In this article, the complete list of schemes launched by the West Bengal Self Help Group and Self Employment Department is explained.

The department works to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth and to improve the income of women through self help groups. Most of these schemes are run through the West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL), which is the main implementing agency of the department.

WB Self Help Group and Self Employment Department Schemes List

Here is the details of the schemes that are currently running in West Bengal under the Self Help Group and Self Employment department.

Detail	Information
Department	Self Help Group and Self Employment, West Bengal
Main Implementing Agency	West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL)
Main Schemes	SVSKP, WBSSP, Muktidhara, Samaj Sathi, Karma Tirtha, Jaago
Beneficiaries	Women, unemployed youth and self help group members
Official Website	shgsewb.gov.in

Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (SVSKP)

Scheme implemented by: West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL).

Objective of SVSKP

Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasansthan Prakalpa (SVSKP) is the main scheme of the department. It is run all over the state to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed youth, including members of backward classes, minorities and women. Unemployed youth who meet the criteria laid down in the scheme are helped to start individual or group enterprises with bank finance.

Eligibility for SVSKP

Unemployed young persons in the age group of 18 to 45 years are eligible to apply under this scheme. The family income ceiling is Rs.15,000 per month. In some special cases under exceptional circumstances, the maximum age can be relaxed for a limited period.

Subsidy for Individual / Group in SVSKP

Maximum government subsidy of Rs.1.5 lakh for an individual and Rs.3.5 lakh for a group of five or more, representing 30% of the project cost, is provided by West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL). For an individual, it is called "AtmaMaryada" and for a group it is called "AtmaSamman".

Training in SVSKP Scheme in West Bengal

The main aim of the scheme is to generate self-employment in the state. Unemployed people are identified and, wherever possible, trained before they come up with their projects for institutional finance. Subsidy is then provided to the entrepreneurs by the state government. The scheme was launched in the 2011-12 financial year and has supported 2,62,030 people till September 2019.

West Bengal Swanirbhar Sahayak Prakalpa (WBSSP)

Scheme implemented by: West Bengal Swaraj Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL).

Objective of WBSSP

West Bengal Swanirbhar Sahayak Prakalpa (WBSSP) was launched in the 2012-13 financial year to reduce the interest burden on bank loans taken by self help groups (SHGs). Under this scheme, the government provides interest subsidy to eligible SHGs on a portion of the interest charged by commercial, regional rural and cooperative banks.

Lesser Interest Component on Loan of SHG

The scheme makes sure that no self help group pays more than 2% as interest on the bank loan received. Interest subsidy from the department ranges from 9% to 2%, depending on the nature of the group and the programme under which the group is formed. Banks submit the claim of subsidy electronically to WBSCL, which verifies the claims and makes e-payment directly to the accounts of eligible SHGs through RTGS or NEFT. So far, the department has provided interest subvention to 21.05 lakh self help groups.

Skill Development Training of SHG Members and Entrepreneurs

With a view to create employment opportunities, upgrade skills and improve the quality of products of self-employment enterprises, the Department of SHG and SE has been organizing training programmes on various trades. The training is provided through district level functionaries and the West Bengal Swarojgar Corporation Ltd. (WBSCL).

The training covers many subjects, including tailoring, mushroom cultivation, embroidery, computer training, electric repairing, food processing, mobile repairing, jute products manufacturing, vermicompost, terracotta, fast food and glass painting, beautician, hospitality management, handicraft and kantha stitch. Launched in the 2012-13 financial year, the programme has covered close to 1 lakh people till September 2019.

Thrust for Training in Jangal Mahal Areas of the State

With a view to create employment opportunities and improve the quality of products of the SHGs, special training programmes have been organized in 23 blocks of 3 districts, namely Purulia, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur in the Jangal Mahal area. Training has been given on production of herbal dye from flowers, dry flower making, making varied products from Babui grass, making quilt from hen feathers, plates for Sal leaves, Eucalyptus oil extracting, designer musk making and articles from lac.

Karma Tirtha Scheme - Construction of Training-cum-Marketing Complexes

This department has taken up a programme of setting up Training-cum-Marketing Complexes (Karma Tirtha) in the district and sub-divisional headquarters under the state plan. The aim is to help training of SHGs for skill development and for marketing of their products.

For more details on Karma Tirtha: Karma Tirtha scheme details on wb.gov.in

Samaj Sathi Scheme - Personal Accident Insurance Scheme for SHGs

Samaj Sathi is an assurance scheme for the self help group members of the state. The task in this regard has been given to the SHG and SE Department as the main department and WBSCL as the implementing agency. The scheme provides support to self help group members and their families who fall victims of accidents.

Target Group / Age Limit for Samaj Sathi Scheme

The target group of this scheme is self help group members. The age limit for the members is 18 to 60 years.

Features of Samaj Sathi Scheme

The scheme provides financial support to the members in case of an accident. The main benefits are given below.

• Rs.2 lakh for accidental death and permanent total disablement.
• Rs.1,50,000 (maximum) for partial permanent disablement.
• Rs.100 per day of hospitalization in lieu of wage loss.
• Rs.2,500 for funeral expenses for accidental death over and above the principal amount.

Muktidhara (Sustainable Livelihood Project)

Muktidhara was started as a small project in the district of Purulia to improve the livelihood of tribal women through specific micro firm based and non-firm projects and training. The project was later extended to all the South Bengal districts except Bankura. In a shift in approach, the department has decided to run Muktidhara as a convergence scheme where all the development departments having a stake in village development are taken on board. The role of the SHG and SE Department is that of the coordinating department in such convergent community action. For more details on Muktidhara, click Muktidhara scheme details on wb.gov.in

Jaago - Revolving Fund Support for SHGs

Jaago is a special scheme under the Department of SHG and SE to support all the graded self help groups of the state or SHGs accessing bank credit. Under this scheme, a modest annual revolving fund support of Rs.5,000 is given to each eligible group. This no strings attached funding support is expected to give a boost to the empowerment of the groups. The project has a target to cover close to one million SHGs of the state.

Organizing of Fairs and Exhibitions

Fairs and exhibitions are organized on a regular basis to open up avenues for marketing the products of self help groups and self-employed entrepreneurs. The aim is to establish their links with possible buyers and to create awareness about the quality, prices and usefulness of the products. The department organizes annual fairs known as Sabala Mela at the state level, for Kolkata and at the district level.

The self help groups not only sell their products in these fairs but also many of them succeed in establishing links with business houses, wholesalers and eminent persons of the marketing world for future sale of their products. Cultural programmes are also held every evening to make the fair more attractive. A few selected SHGs and individual entrepreneurs take part in the India International Trade Fair every year.

Source / Reference Link: Department of Self Help Group and Self Employment, West Bengal on wb.gov.in

Official Website for Department of Self Help Group and Self Employment, West Bengal: shgsewb.gov.in