The government has announced an additional funding of Rs 3 lakh crores to revive the MSMEs through a credit guarantee scheme. Based on the eligibility conditions, MSMEs can avail loans up to 20% of their outstanding credit. These loans are collateral-free and can be availed at discounted interest rates.
On May 13, 2020, the Prime Minister in his address to the nation announced the measures to revive the Indian economy. He underlined that a self-reliant economy was the key to accelerated growth while announcing a Rs. 20 lakh crore comprehensive package for revival and growth. This package encompassed a series of measures for MSMEs, including credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs.
On May 20, the Union Ministry of Finance announced that an additional funding of Rs. 3 lakh crore would revive the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This fund would be provided at discounted interest rates to ailing MSMEs under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS). As part of the comprehensive economic package, this credit guarantee scheme is expected to revive the MSMEs hit hard by the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. According to the union ministry of finance, the credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs is expected to help businesses in more than 45 lakh MSMEs across the country.
MSMEs play a crucial role in the economy by generating employment and through vibrant production. The goal of a self-reliant economy, as ushered in by the government, cannot be achieved without revamping and boosting the MSMEs. With the credit guarantee scheme, it is expected that the MSMEs will meet their working capital requirements and start their business activities.