The Aryavarth Express
Dehradun:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday transferred ₹33.22 crore directly into the bank accounts of 3,848 beneficiaries under the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme (MSY). The amount was disbursed through online transfer from the Chief Minister’s residence.
Emphasising the state government’s focus on entrepreneurship, Dhami said the objective is to transform Uttarakhand’s youth into job creators rather than job seekers. He termed the scheme one of the government’s flagship initiatives, noting that it has significantly helped curb migration, encouraged reverse migration, and generated employment at the local level.
The Chief Minister said that migrant workers who returned during the COVID-19 period, young entrepreneurs, artisans, handicraftsmen, and educated unemployed youth are among the key beneficiaries of the scheme.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the scheme provides loan facilities to native and permanent residents of Uttarakhand through nationalised, cooperative, and regional rural banks for manufacturing, service, and trade-related ventures. The permissible project cost is up to ₹25 lakh for manufacturing units and up to ₹10 lakh for service and trade units. Beneficiaries also receive a margin money subsidy ranging from 15 to 25 per cent of the project cost.
While the initial target was to benefit around 32,000 people, more than 35,000 beneficiaries have already been covered. Loans exceeding ₹1,389 crore have been disbursed so far, leading to the creation of nearly 64,966 jobs. Dhami said the figures demonstrate that the scheme is being implemented effectively on the ground and is not merely limited to paperwork.
Describing it as a “game changer” for small traders and self-reliance in the state, the Chief Minister said that, in view of its success, the government has launched the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme 2.0 (MSY 2.0) from 2025 by integrating the MSY and Nano schemes. Under the revised framework, the subsidy limit has been increased from 15 per cent to 30 per cent, with an additional 5 per cent subsidy under geographical, social, and product-based boosters.
Dhami said the subsidies are being transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through online mode, reflecting the government’s transparent, technology-driven, and corruption-free approach. He added that the scheme is laying a strong foundation for a self-reliant Uttarakhand, with the vision of promoting enterprises in every district, employment in every village, and livelihood opportunities for every youth.
Aligning the initiative with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Chief Minister said the state government is committed to empowering Uttarakhand’s youth through self-employment.
During the programme, Dhami also interacted with beneficiaries. Kamal Singh Partholi from Lohaghat in Champawat district shared that he availed a ₹10 lakh loan to establish a smart library serving 130 students, with plans to expand it into an e-library. Pradeep Agarwal from Udham Singh Nagar said he used a ₹10 lakh loan to start a vehicle servicing business after earlier working in bicycle repair.
Jaspal from Uttarkashi said he took a ₹10 lakh loan to open a fitness club, which he is now expanding. Ayan Mansuri from Pauri Garhwal said he secured a ₹10 lakh loan for quilt and mattress manufacturing, creating direct and indirect employment, with his business turnover expected to reach ₹3 crore this year. Champa Devi from Bageshwar said a ₹7 lakh loan helped her set up a mobile sales and service business, significantly improving her livelihood.
