Kalpataru Scheme of Assam Government

Kalpataru is an employment generating scheme of Government of Assam. The main goal of the scheme is to provide the unemployed youths a source of income generation through self employment and to bring them above the poverty line. Under the Kalpataru scheme, financial support is provided for self-employment in agriculture, industry and service sectors.

Kalpataru scheme was launched during year 2003-2004. It covers whole state of Assam, except the Sixth Schedule Areas. The Scheme was confined to the persons belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and cost of the scheme was fixed between Rs. 7,000 – 25,000 with 20% beneficiary contribution. In year 2007-08, a modified Kalpataru scheme was launched with three main components and larger coverage.

Details of Kalpataru Scheme:

• Name of the Scheme: Kalpataru under Untied Fund.
• Department:  Planning & Development Department (Component I & II), Industries and Commerce Department (Component III)
• Targeted group: Educated unemployed of Assam state of India
• Benefits: Financial assistance through Cheque and bank loan.
• Eligibility: Unemployed youth who didn’t availed any Government loans or assistance from any other sources.

Kalpataru Component I:

• Maximum amount: Rs. 7,000
• Beneficiary contribution – Nil
• Target area: Small enterprises like Piggery, Poultry, Rickshow, Pan shop,  Silk Worm Rearing, Saloon, Tailoring etc.
• Eligibility: Unemployed youths from families having annual income below Rs. 30,000

Kalpataru Component II :

• Minimum amount: Rs. 7,000 – 40,000
• Beneficiary contribution – 20% (or less if bank loan is more).
• Target area: Scheme normally taken up by the Assam Khadi Village Industries Board and Rural Employment Guarantee Programme or as implemented by any other development department reffered in the list enclosed.
• Eligibility – Unemployed youths with some financial resources and their families having annual income below Rs. 60,000.

Kalpataru Component III :

• Maximum amount: Rs. 40,000 – 75,000
• Beneficiary contribution – 20% (or less if bank loan is more).
• Target area: Any medium type of micro enterprise that are normally financed and supported by Industry and Commerce Department.
• Eligibility – Unemployed youths with some financial resources to invest and annual family income below Rs. 60,000.

Kalpataru Scheme Application and Selection:

Applications for Component I & II are called through public advertisement and screened by the Deputy Commissioner and that for component –III by the general Manager, District Industrial Center (DIC). For all the three components the selection of beneficiaries is done at the district level by a Committee chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. Members of the District Committee includes Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) (Member- Secretary), Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad, Project Director of DRDA, Executive Offices of Urban Bodies, General Manager of DICs, District Officer of Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board, Senior Planning Officer of the District, Lead Bank Officer of the District, other Banks involved in providing loans and Local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)s. All the development departments in the district provides assistance in the form of technical support and guidance. Monitoring is done by the District level Committee.