Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
ObjectiveThe objective of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is to provide sustainable
income to the rural poor. The program aims at establishing a large number of micro-enterprises
in the rural areas, building upon the potential of the rural poor. It is envisaged that every family
assisted under SGSY will be brought above the poverty line in a period of three years.
Scope
Launched on 1st April 1999, the program replaces the earlier self-employment and allied
program.
[Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP), Training of Rural Youth for Self
Employment (TRYSEM), Development of Woman and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA),
Supply of Integrated Tool-kit for Rural Artisans (SITRA), Ganga Kalyan Yojana (GKY) and
Million Well Scheme (MWS), which are no longer in operation. The program covers families
below poverty line in operation. The country. Within this target group, reserving 50 per cent of
benefits for SCs/ STs, 40 per cent for women and three per cent for physically handicapped
persons has provided special safeguards. Subject to availability of funds. It is proposed to
cover 30 per cent of the rural poor in each block in the next 5 years.]
Strategy
SGSY is a Credit-cum-subsidy program. It covers all aspects of self-employment, such as
organization of the poor into self-help groups, training, credit technology, infrastructure and
marketing. Efforts would be made to involve women members in each self-help group. SGSY
lays emphasis on activity clusters. Four / five activities will be identified for each block with the
approval of Panchayat Smitis. The Gram Sabha will authenticate the list of families below
poverty line identified in BPL census. Identification of individual families suitable for each key
activity will be made through a participatory process. Closer attention will be paid skill
development of the beneficiaries known as swarozgaris and their technology and marketing
needs.
