Kolhapur Leads Maharashtra in Employment Creation Under CM’s Employment Generation Programme

Over 1,200 New Projects Approved in FY 2024–25, Boosting Youth Entrepreneurship

The Chief Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (CMEGP) has emerged as a transformative initiative to empower the youth of Maharashtra through self-employment and entrepreneurship. Since its launch in FY 2019–20, Kolhapur district has distributed loans worth ₹586 crore to support 3,553 projects, making it a frontrunner in the state.

In FY 2024–25, Kolhapur topped the state by sanctioning loans to 1,222 enterprises, achieving 111% of its set target. These ventures are helping unemployed youth start their own businesses and contribute to job creation. The scheme provides loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹50 lakh for industrial projects, and up to ₹10 lakh for services and trade. Beneficiaries receive government subsidies based on their category and location—15% in urban and 25% in rural areas for general applicants, and up to 35% for women, SC/ST, differently-abled persons, and ex-servicemen.

To apply, individuals must prepare a project report and submit it online through maha-cmegp.gov.in.

In FY 2024–25, Kolhapur approved 1,219 cases, followed by Nagpur (1,122) and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (1,014). Kolhapur consistently led over the years—approving 301 projects worth ₹70 crore in 2021–22, 478 projects worth ₹83 crore in 2022–23, and 1,112 projects with loans exceeding ₹153 crore in 2023–24. This year, over ₹200 crore has already been disbursed.

Nationalized banks played a key role, approving 67% of the loans. Bank of India alone cleared 16.67% of all cases, followed by private banks (20%) and rural/district cooperative banks (13%).

This success is attributed to the coordinated efforts of District Collector Amol Yedge, Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar, lead and partner banks, government departments, District Industries Centre (DIC), and the Khadi and Village Industries Board.

Under CMEGP, 1,222 enterprises will take off this year, including 30 in agro-processing, 183 in automobiles, 175 in food services, and others in sectors like beauty & wellness, electronics, garments, furniture, pharmaceuticals, printing, textiles (89 projects) and transport (205 projects).

Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar stated that the scheme, a key component of the CM’s Administrative Agility Campaign, aligns with Kolhapur’s vision to be an ‘Entrepreneurial City’—a legacy initiated by Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The district’s implementation aims to turn youth from job seekers into job creators.