Saranya (Self Employment Scheme for the Destitute Women)

Saranya Self-Employment Scheme for the Destitute Women is another scheme towards the eradication of unemployment from the society. But this time the scheme is for unemployed destitute women. Women who are from the specified categories are eligible for the scheme where they will be taught how to get skills develop and use it in their own development and be self-reliable. The scheme also provide the loan to the beneficiary for the establishment of a new venture in which again there is a subsidy in that which reduces the stress of repaying the loan to the bank. They are also given training in the field of their interest which can be further used in their own business. The scheme came into existence in the year 2010 and since then many women got empowered and the scheme is serving its very important motive of Women Empowerment.

Benefits of Saranya Self-Employment Scheme for the Destitute Women:

Loan of up to Rs. 50, 000: Under the scheme the beneficiary is given the loan of Rs. 50, 000 to start her own venture
Interest free loan: If the loan amount is up to Rs. 50, 000 there is no interest on the loan
60 months repayment period: The scheme provides very flexible installments where beneficiary has to repay interest free loan in the 60 equal installments
Subsidy of 50%: The scheme gives the benefit of subsidy in the loan amount. The beneficiary has to repay only 50% of the loan amount, rest 50% is reimbursed by government itself (only applicable on loan of Rs. 50, 000)
Loan of amount more than Rs. 50, 000: In case beneficiary want loan of more than Rs. 50, 000 it is granted but in that case beneficiary has to pay 10% of the expense from her own sources
3% rate of interest on loan above Rs. 50, 000: If the loan amount is above Rs. 50, 000 beneficiary will have to bear 3% rate of interest
Training to gain skill: The scheme also takes care of people with no skill. Campaigns are organized where the unskilled workers are given training and are made skilled person who are all ready to start their own venture
Loan for joint ventures: Initially the loan was intended only for individual venture, but after few changes now the loan is also granted for joint ventures too

Eligibility for Saranya Self-Employment Scheme for the Destitute Women:

Woman from these categories Widowed, Destitute, Unmarried Mother, Spinsters of more than 30 years of age, Deserted and Divorced are eligible for the scheme
Woman must be registered as unemployed at Employment Exchange
Woman must in the age group of 18-55 years of age
Her family annual income must not exceed Rs. 1, 00, 000 per year
Educational qualification must suit the further track opted by the applicant
Woman with technical qualification or with some professional education is eligible for the scheme
Woman at the time of applying must not be enrolled in any educational institution (Students are not allowed to enroll for the scheme)
Woman must be permanent resident of Kerala state

Documents Required:

Complete application form
Address proof (e.g. Aadhar Card, Electricity bill, Gas connection receipt, Water supply bill or Voter id)
Bank passbook having (bank name, branch name, account holder name, IFSC & MICR code)
Educational qualification mark sheets, degrees and certificates
Family income certificate
Age proof (e.g. Birth Certificate, School leaving certificate or Bonafied certificate)
Domicile certificate (Indian Nationality proof)
Widow: Death certificate of husband by Village officer/President of Grama Panchayat/Chairman of Municipal Corporation
Divorced: Separation certificate by Village Officer
Deserted: Certificate of husband’s missing case, absconding or wife left by husband given by Tahsildar
Spinster: Certificate by Village Officer which tells that the women is having a child and she is unmarried
Unmarried mother: Unmarried mother from Scheduled Tribe need the certificate from Village Officer which state the category and incident she become mother without marriage

Application form:

Woman willing to enroll for the scheme need to visit their local employment exchange office where her name is registered. Forms are available there, which after completely filling has to be submitted there itself.

Whom to contact where to contact for more information about the scheme: