Launched in 2018, Solar Charkha Mission is an initiative by the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). The project is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. Through this scheme, MSME aims to leverage the demographic division in India and promote growth in rural and backward areas of the country. Under this scheme, the government is about to establish 50 solar charkha clusters with a total budget of Rs. 550 crore for the financial years of 2018–2019 and 2019–2020.

Objectives

The objectives of the Solar Charkha Mission are as follows:

  1. To ascertain growth by creating employment opportunities and sustainable development through in rural and socially backward areas of India
  2. To encourage and promote the rural economy and diminish the rate of migration from rural to urban areas of the country
  3. To procure and provide cost-effective innovation technologies and protocols

Application criteria

Candidates falling under the following inclusion criteria can apply for the scheme:

  1. Already established khadi and village industry institutions
  2. Other institutions, including SPV, Society, Trust, Section 8 Company or LLP under the Companies Act, 2013
  3. Fresh applicants

What does the scheme cover?

Solar Charkha Mission encompasses setting up the clusters in focal villages and its surrounding villages coming in 8–10 km radius. Each solar charkha cluster would have 200−2042 beneficiaries. For the beneficiaries, employment opportunities include spinning, weaving, stitching, and other relevant skills. Each spinner is given two charkhas consisting of 10 spindles each. Such clusters are considered to have 1000 charkhas on an average.

Under this scheme, one single cluster of Solar Charkha Mission consists of Rs. 9.599 crore as a maximum subsidy.

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