Govt to soon come out with revamped Stand-Up India scheme: Sitharaman
New Delhi (PTI): The government will soon come out with a modified Stand-Up India scheme to provide better benefits to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs looking to set up new projects, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.
Launched in 2016, the Stand-Up India scheme aimed to empower Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women entrepreneurs by facilitating bank loans for setting up new enterprises. The scheme expired on March 31, 2025.
Replying to a supplementary question in the Lok Sabha, the Minister said the modified scheme will incorporate lessons learnt in implementation of the original Stand-Up India scheme.
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"With studies done by Niti Aayog and others, this scheme is being redrafted and sooner the Cabinet will be given a proposal with which we will launch a new scheme to continue with this Stand-Up which benefitted SC/ST and women all over the country," Sitharaman said.
The scheme provided loans between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore at the lowest applicable rate of the bank for that category, with a repayment period of 7 years with a maximum moratorium of up to 18 months.
On whether the government is planning to increase the loan amount, Sitharaman said, "We are looking at various options for the new scheme."
To another question why only greenfield projects were being given loans under the Stand-Up India scheme, she said there are several other loan options available to businesses through PM Mudra scheme or SIDBI financing. Besides, there is Startup India scheme, which is for innovative ideas and largely restricted to urban areas.
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LPG shortage: Karnataka Minister appeals to people not to panic
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa on Monday appealed to the public not to panic over the LPG supply situation and urged hotels to switch to electric stoves temporarily, saying the government is taking steps to manage the shortage while ensuring uninterrupted supply to essential services.
The state is facing an LPG refill shortage in the wake of the conflict in West Asia.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said the hotel sector remains an important concern, but alternative arrangements can help tide over the situation.
“Regarding the issue of hotels, it is a very important matter. Even earlier, I had said, and I am saying it even today, that electric stoves should be used. Hotel owners have the opportunity to use electric stoves,” he said.
Muniyappa said about 1,000 LPG cylinders per day are being earmarked for the hotel industry after setting aside supplies for essential services. These cylinders will be distributed through existing associations, distributor registers and hotel registrations so that workers in the service sector are able to access food during the ongoing supply constraints.
He expressed hope that the situation would improve soon as additional shipments are expected.
“If we manage this for one week, the movement has already improved considerably. More ships are expected to arrive, and through that we hope the situation will improve from next week,” he said, urging hotels to at least ensure that their staff can access meals during the interim period.
The minister also cautioned consumers against panic booking or attempting to double their regular LPG registrations.
“They should not fall into unnecessary panic. They should not try to double their normal registrations unnecessarily. When the situation is serious, we must learn to limit our consumption,” he said.
Muniyappa said the Central government has permitted the state to use about 9,500 LPG cylinders per day, which will be distributed by the three oil marketing companies according to the existing distribution system.
Of these, 4,200 cylinders are allocated for essential services and another 4,200 cylinders for regular domestic consumption, which he said has not been reduced.
In addition, about 1,200 cylinders are being supplied to government and public sector institutions such as airports, railways, bus stands, Karnataka Milk Federation, and Indira Canteen.
He said sectors including hospitals, educational institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, seed-processing units, fisheries, airlines and railway canteens are receiving full supply as part of essential services. Together, these sectors account for around 5,200 cylinders daily.
Muniyappa added that the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is aware of the situation and steps are already underway to stabilise supply, noting that ship movements have begun.
“In this meeting, it was decided that essential services will receive 100 per cent supply, and the companies have agreed,” he said.
Reiterating his appeal to the public, the minister said responsible consumption and avoiding panic booking would help the government manage supplies until normalcy returns in the coming days.
