Last updated: October 2nd, 2019 1:43 AM

Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY)

Tribal women in India are socially and economically weak. It hinders them in taking part in any of the national development processes. Many Tribal Welfare Associations are established to empower their socio-economic status and are determinedly working for their welfare and standardisation of their living. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs instituted the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to facilitate the overall development of both Scheduled Tribe men and women. Tribal Welfare Association equips tribal youth and women with alternative skills to supplement and augment their income and employment and to fulfil the community needs with locally available raw materials and human resources towards optimum use. The Ministry has launched the Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY) to ensure that the tribal women are assisted in carrying out the employment-generating activity by facilitating loan at a concessional rate of interest.

Objectives of the Scheme

The AMSY scheme focuses on:

• Enhancing the standard of life of tribal women by providing financial independence
• Providing better education opportunities and help them take part in the national economic growth process
• Affording and extending employment scope for the tribal women to support their families
• Connecting infrastructure gaps in the community by supporting for their education, employment, skill improvement, infrastructure, health and hygiene.

Supporting them in protecting the tradition and principles of their community

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the tribal women to claim the loan under the scheme are as follows:

• The applicant should belong to the Scheduled Tribes Community.
• The annual income of the family should not exceed Rs.98,000 per annum in case of rural areas and Rs.1,20,000 per annum in case of the urban areas.

The applicants who are above the age of 18 can avail financial support under the NSTFDC Schemes.

Amount of the Loan Eligible

The Scheme supports with a loan of Rs.1 Lakh per unit at an interest rate of 2 per cent for the State channelising agencies (SCA) and 4 per cent for the beneficiaries.

Quantum of Loan Assistance

A sum Up to 90% of unit cost is provided by NSTFDC as term loan

Promoters Contribution

The NSTFDC does not insist on the promoters who volunteer for any contribution to the Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana.

Security

• The SCAs and other Stakeholders should arrange for the Government Bank Guarantee in order to avail the financial assistance from NSTFDC.
• The SCAs and the corresponding stakeholders should arrange for a Block Government Guarantee in order to restrict the repetitive offerings under the Scheme

This Block Guarantee is undergone for a period between three and five years.

Repayment Method

1. Repayment Calendar

• SCA’s takes the responsibility for the repayments in accordance with the payment schedule intimated to them at the time of distribution of funds.
• NSTFDC provides one year extra repayment period to the SCAs in addition to the period allowed for the refunds.
• Repayments should be done within a maximum period of 10 years, including suitable moratorium period.
• NSTFDC fixes the repayment period of the scheme based on the nature of the activity and cash-generating capacity of the unit.

1. Due Dates

NSTFDC raises the quarterly demands on 31^st March, 30^th June, 30^th September and 31^st December for the repayment of loan along with the rate of interest by the SCAs.

• Suspension Period
• SCAs should arrange for the Demand Drafts/TTs/Pay order on or before the 5^th of the preceding month of each quarter.

If 5^th falls on a bank holiday, the DDs/TTs should be drawn before 5^th and should be submitted to the NSTFDC by 10^th of the following month.

How to Apply

Persons belonging to ST category and who are willing to avail loan under NSTFDC schemes should approach district offices of State Channelising Agency of NSTFDC for guidance and filing of their loan applications. A Udyami Helpline: Dial 1800-180-6763 [Toll-Free Number] for queries relating to these Schemes.