Entrepreneur Support Scheme
Category: Business & Entrepreneurship
Level: State | State: Kerala

Details:
Entrepreneur Support Scheme (ESS) is the most popular and attractive scheme operated by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala. The scheme is operational w.e.f. 01.04.2012. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises engaged in manufacturing activities in the State, proportional to the capital investment made. Depending upon the category of the investor, sector, and the District of investment, the unit can avail subsidy from 15% to 45% of the fixed capital investment. For this scheme, a loan from a financial institution is not mandatory.
> **Objectives:** The new Entrepreneur Support Scheme intends to

•	provide extensive support to micro, small and medium enterprises and
•	give one-time support to entrepreneurs, with due regard to special categories by optimal utilization of funds and giving more flexibility of operation while implementing the Scheme.
> **Stages in Entrepreneur Support Scheme:** The assistance under the Entrepreneur Support Scheme shall be released to the eligible entrepreneur (s)/unit in 3 stages.

**1. Start-up Support**
The Start-up support is provided for those enterprises that have availed at least a term loan from a financial institution and wish to avail of a part of the total eligible support prior to the commencement of commercial production. The assistance is limited to 50% of the total eligible support limited to ₹3 lakh on sanctioning the term loan from the bank. The unit can apply for the balance of the eligible support once it starts commercial production. A unit that does not avail of Start-up Support can directly apply for investment support, after the commencement of commercial production.
**2. Investment Support**
Investment Support is provided after the commencement of commercial production. To apply for Investment Support, a loan from a financial institution is not mandatory. The entrepreneurs shall apply within one year from the date of commencement of production. Enterprises undertaking Expansion, Diversification, or Modernization are also eligible for investment support for the additional investment made.
**3. Technology Support**
Technology Support is provided after commencement of production, on acquiring new technology from authorized institutions. The unit shall apply for technology support within 6 months from the date of commencement after installing the new technology from authorized agencies. Assistance will be provided for the new technology and for the plant and machinery installed in connection with the new technology.
> **Sanctioning Authority:** All assistances under the ESS shall be sanctioned by

•	The General Manager (District Industries Centre) - For start-up Support
•	District Level Committee - For Fixed Capital Investment below ₹200.00 lakhs
•	State Level Committee - For Fixed Capital Investment above ₹200.00 lakhs
> **Appellate Authority:** If the decision of the District Level Committee is not satisfactory, an applicant can approach the State Level Committee, consisting of the following Members,

•	Director of Industries &amp; Commerce (Chairman)
•	Representative of the Finance Department in Government
•	Managing Director, KSIDC
•	Managing Director, KFC
•	Director –MSME (DI)
•	Representative of the KSSIA State Committee

Benefits:
Provides Subsidy for the investment in Land, Building, Plant and machinery, Electrification, Essential Office Equipment, Pollution Control Devices, and other fixed assets.
For the General Category, assistance is 15% of the capital investment limited to ₹30 lakh.
For Young (18 to 45 years), Women, SC/ST, and Non-Resident Keralite (NRK) entrepreneurs, the assistance is 25% limited to ₹40 lakh.
Enterprises in priority sectors are eligible for an additional assistance of 10% limited to ₹10 lakh.
MSMEs started in the districts of Idukki, Wayanad, Kasargode and Pathanamthitta are eligible for an additional support of 10% limited to ₹10 lakh.
Enterprises set up after acquiring new technology from approved research institutions are eligible for additional support of 10% limited to ₹10 lakh.
The total eligible assistance for an enterprise is limited to ₹40 lakh.

Eligibility Criteria:
1. All Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises engaged in manufacturing activities and set up in the State, which had filed Entrepreneurs Memorandum Part I/II with the respective General Manager; District Industries Centre shall be eligible for this assistance.
   1. For the purpose of this scheme an industrial unit eligible for the Entrepreneur Support assistance shall be an independent legal entity.

> **Obligations of the applicant entrepreneurs:**


   1. The applicant shall provide all required details and declare such information as to be true.
   1. The applicant shall pay the requisite application fee.
   1. The applicant shall provide clarifications or further details sought by the recommending/sanctioning authority.
   1. The applicant shall allow inspection or verification of any details mentioned in the application including plant and machinery and all other assets if so required by the recommending/sanctioning authority.
   1. The applicant shall produce originals of any important documents if so required by the recommending/sanctioning authority for verification.
   1. The applicant shall execute the requisite legal agreement online and if required on paper as and when the proposal is approved for implementation and furnish the signed hard copy subsequently via post or otherwise.
   1. The applicant shall utilize the amount received only in the manner agreed upon.
   1. The applicant shall operate the unit as stipulated in the agreement in which the quantum of support received failing which the assistance shall be resumed by restoring the provisions of Kerala Revenue Recovery Act.
   1. The applicant unit after availing the assistance shall furnish copies of balance sheets, valid license from local body, electricity bills, performance particulars in the prescribed proforma, etc. every year till the stipulated period before the 31st December of the next financial year, as proof of their functioning to the notified authority.

> **Enterprises under Priority Sector:**

Rubber-based industries, Agro based and Food processing industries, Readymade Garments, Industries manufacturing equipment and machinery for non-conventional energy generation, Biotechnology industries, 100% export-oriented units, Biodegradable plastic industries, Plastic waste recycling industries, Biofertilizer industries, Pharmaceutical industries and healthcare products manufacturing industries.