Lok Sabha Question No. 1670 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Beneficiaries under ASPIRE Scheme
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Amar Sharadrao Kale, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Bajrang Manohar Sonwane

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1670 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.12.2024

## BENEFICIARIES UNDER ASPIRE SCHEME

1670.   SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH:

SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SMT.  SUPRIYA SULE:

PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO  KALE:

Will the Minister of  MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  key  objectives  of  'A  Scheme  for  Promotion  and  Innovation,  Rural  Industries  and Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE)';
- (b) the number of rural entrepreneurs and enterprises supported under the ASPIRE scheme since its inception;
- (c) the  manner  in  which  the  ASPIRE  scheme  contribute  to  the  Government's  goal  of  job creation, particularly in rural and under-developed regions;
- (d) the number of targeted beneficiaries under the ASPIRE scheme for the current financial year in Maharashtra;
- (e) the  steps  that  are  being  taken  to  ensure  that  women  and  marginalized  communities  are specifically targeted under the ASPIRE scheme;
- (f) the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that are in place to track the progress and success of the ASPIRE scheme, and the manner in which its outcomes are measured;
- (g) the steps that are being taken to increase awareness about the ASPIRE scheme among rural youth, women, and first-generation entrepreneurs; and
- (h) the total financial outlay for the ASPIRE Scheme along with the details on types of financial assistance available under the Scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a): The  key  objective  of 'A  Scheme  for  Promotion  of  Innovation,  Rural  Industry,  and Entrepreneurship  (ASPIRE)'  is  to  create  employment  opportunities  in  the  agro-rural  sector  by establishing a network of Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) to impart various skill development and incubation programs to the rural youth, women, and unemployed. The programmes offered by the LBIs aims to enable beneficiaries to set up their own enterprises or secure suitable employment in nearby industries.

(b) to (e) & (g): The scheme aims to promote  entrepreneurship  and job creation  in  rural  and underdeveloped  regions  by  fostering  skill  development  and  supporting  micro-enterprise  creation through its Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs).

Since inception, 1,07,460 beneficiaries have been trained under ASPIRE out of which 31,521 beneficiaries have been gainfully employed. Additionally, 662 micro-enterprises have been supported. There are no State-specific targets under ASPIRE however, as on date, 9,384 beneficiaries have been trained in Maharashtra.

The  operational  expenses  under  the  Scheme  enables  LBIs  to  conduct  awareness  drives, training programs and capacity-building initiatives focusing on rural youth, women and marginalized communities. The LBIs provides comprehensive training and incubation programs, along with hand holding via various support services, for prospective first generation entrepreneurs.

(f): As part of monitoring and evaluation mechanism and to track the outcome, online monthly data is collected through a dedicated portal w.r.t number of beneficiaries trained, beneficiaries which became wage employed and number of micro enterprises supported/established.

(h): ASPIRE  is  approved  for  continuation  during  FY  2021-22  to  FY  2025-26,  with  a  total financial  outlay  of  Rs.  194.87  crore.  Financial  assistance  of  upto  Rs  one  crore  is  granted  for procurement of plant & machinery (private Institutions to contribute 25% own contribution) and upto Rs. one crore for meeting operational expenses.

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