Panaji (Goa): A special scheme called ‘Goa Tribal’s Employment Generation Programme (GTEGP)’, has been launched by the State government in a bid to make the tribal community self employed.

Under the scheme a subsidy upto 40 percent is provided for micro and small manufacturing enterprises and also service and trade enterprises.

The Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce had introduced the scheme in view of the direction of Planning Commission, Government of India.

Goa State has around 1,80,000 Tribal population (12%) notified under the communities of Gauda, Kunbi and Velip living in almost all talukas.

The objective of the scheme is to improve Entrepreneurship Skills, Self Employment and Generation of employment, Improvement in living conditions, and upliftment, Flow of funds to the target families from Government schemes, Long term sustainable economic activities in the villages, etc.

Under the micro and small manufacturing category, the enterprises can avail a maximum loan of Rs. 25 lakhs and avail 40percent subsidy.

Under service and trade enterprises, a loan upto 15 lakhs is granted with 40 percent subsidy.