Goa Self Employment Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Starting a self-employment activity can help unemployed persons create a regular source of income, but arranging the required capital can be a major challenge. To support entrepreneurship among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community of Goa, the Government of Goa provides financial assistance under the Self Employment Scheme through the Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Ltd. (GSSTFDCL).

The scheme provides loans to eligible unemployed ST beneficiaries for undertaking economically viable and legally permissible self-employment activities. Individual beneficiaries can obtain a loan of up to ₹10 lakh, while eligible Associations, Societies, Partnerships, Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Companies formed exclusively by ST community members can receive assistance of up to ₹15 lakh.

The loan is available at a concessional interest rate of 4% per annum on reducing balance. The repayment period can extend up to 10 years, with the exact repayment period decided by the Board of Directors based on the nature of the proposed business activity.

The main objective of the scheme is to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among the ST community and improve their economic condition by providing access to affordable credit for viable income-generating activities.

Eligible beneficiaries can use the assistance for activities such as agriculture, allied agricultural activities, processing and manufacturing, trade, services and certain commercial vehicle purchases, subject to the prescribed conditions and approval of the Corporation.

The Government of Goa also implements other schemes to support self-employment and entrepreneurship among different sections of the population. These include theChief Minister's Rojgar Yojana (CMRY)and theMukhyamantri Swayam Rojgar Yojana (MSRY). For the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community, the Government provides additional targeted support through schemes such as theMukhya Mantri Janjatiya Mhaje Ghar Yojanaand the Self Employment Scheme.

Benefits of the Scheme

• Individual eligible ST beneficiaries can receive a loan up to ₹10 lakh.
• ST-exclusive Associations, Societies, Partnerships, SHGs and Companies can receive a loan up to ₹15 lakh.
• The loan is available at a concessional interest rate of 4% per annum on reducing balance.
• The repayment period can extend up to 10 years, depending on the nature of the business activity and the decision of the Board.
• The normal margin money requirement is 10% of the project cost.
• The Board of Directors may relax the margin money requirement for individual beneficiaries based on the merits of the case.
• The scheme supports several economically viable self-employment activities, including agriculture, manufacturing, trade and services.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe community of Goa.
• The applicant should be unemployed.
• The applicant's age should generally be up to 55 years.
• The Board of Directors may consider age relaxation in deserving cases.
• The applicant's annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹3 lakh.
• The proposed activity should be an economically viable and legally permissible self-employment activity.
• The applicant must comply with the prescribed security, guarantor and documentation requirements of the Corporation.
• 10% margin-money requirement for individual beneficiaries based on merit; the relaxation does not apply to associations/societies/partnerships/SHGs/companies.

Financial Assistance

• The loan carries an interest rate of 4% per annum on reducing balance. The repayment period can extend up to 10 years, subject to the decision of the Board of Directors.
• The normal margin money requirement is 10% of the project cost. The Board may relax this requirement for individual beneficiaries based on the merits of the case. This relaxation is not applicable to Associations, Societies, Partnerships, SHGs or Companies.

Eligible Activities

The scheme supports economically viable and legally permissible self-employment activities, subject to approval by the Corporation and fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.

• Agricultural activities
• Allied agricultural activities
• Processing and manufacturing units
• Trade and sales activities
• Service enterprises
• Commercial vehicle purchase, such as tourist taxis and goods carriers, subject to prescribed conditions

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the prescribed application form along with self-attested copies of the required documents.

• Scheduled Tribe Certificate
• Two passport-size photographs
• Annual Family Income Certificate issued by the competent authority
• Copy of Ration Card
• Birth Certificate or other prescribed age proof
• Copy of Aadhaar Card
• Applicant's self-declaration affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper, duly notarised, in the prescribed format
• Salary Certificate or latest payment slip of the surety
• Surety affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper, duly notarised
• Photograph and identity proof of the surety

Additional Documents Based on Activity

For Agricultural Activities

• Sale deed, Sanad, lease deed or other land-title documents
• I & XIV Form or Krishi Card
• Business viability proposal
• Details of development and cultivation costs
• Quotations for assets, raw materials or stock from authorised dealers
• Prescribed bank mandate

For Allied Agricultural Activities

• Proof of availability of land, including survey plan where applicable
• NOC from the concerned Panchayat or Municipality
• Details of the proposed activity and viability report
• Estimated infrastructure costs, including building, electricity and water requirements
• Quotations for the required assets, raw materials or stock

For Processing, Manufacturing, Trade and Service Activities

• Proof of availability of land or business premises
• NOC or Trade Licence from the concerned Panchayat or Municipality, wherever applicable
• Other required government NOCs
• Latest tax receipt or shop registration, wherever applicable
• Leave and Licence Agreement, if the premises are rented
• Business viability report
• Quotations for assets, machinery, raw materials or stock

For Commercial Vehicle Purchase

• Project report demonstrating the viability of the proposed activity
• Quotation from the authorised vehicle dealer
• Professional driving licence and badge number, where required for taxi activities
• Company engagement letter, where applicable

Guarantor Requirements

Applicants are required to provide two guarantors/sureties as prescribed by the Corporation.

• Two guarantors with the required financial standing must be provided.
• At least one guarantor must necessarily be a Government servant.

How to Apply

The application process under the Goa Self Employment Scheme is offline.

1. The interested applicant should visit the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Goa and obtain the prescribed Self Employment Scheme application form.
2. Fill in the application form carefully with the required personal, income, guarantor and proposed business details.
3. Paste a passport-sized photograph signed across it and attach self-attested copies of all the required documents, including the ST Certificate, Income Certificate, Aadhaar Card, project-related documents and guarantor documents, as applicable.
   • Check that the application form and documents are complete, sign the form and submit the application along with all supporting documents to the concerned authority.
   • After submission, the Corporation will scrutinise the application and documents to verify the applicant's eligibility and assess the viability of the proposed business activity.
   • If the application meets the prescribed requirements, it will be placed before the Board of Directors for consideration and approval.
   • After approval by the Board, the Managing Director will sanction the loan as per the approved terms and conditions.

Security and Insurance Conditions

• The beneficiary is required to mortgage the business activity to the Corporation until full and final repayment of the dues.
• The beneficiary's life and the business activity are required to be insured against applicable risks such as fire, theft, cyclone and natural calamities.
• The insurance policy is endorsed in favour of the Corporation.
• Where insurance compensation is received following an insured event, the amount is adjusted against the outstanding loan dues as prescribed.

Important Terms and Conditions

• The scheme is specifically meant for eligible Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries of Goa.
• The annual family income should not exceed ₹3 lakh, subject to relaxation by the Board in deserving cases.
• The proposed activity must be economically viable and legally permissible.
• Activities involving alcohol, firecrackers and tobacco are excluded.
• The normal margin money requirement is 10% of the project cost.
• The Board may relax the margin money requirement for an individual beneficiary based on the merits of the case.
• Two guarantors/sureties are required, with one necessarily being a Government servant.
• A penal interest of 2% on overdue instalments is applicable as prescribed in the scheme conditions.
• The business activity is required to be secured/mortgaged to the Corporation until repayment of the outstanding dues.

Important Links

• Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Ltd. (GSSTFDCL) – Official Portal
• Goa Self Employment Scheme Guidelines
• GSSTFDCL Citizen Charter – Government of Goa
• Government of Goa – Schemes Portal

Contact Details

Goa State Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation Ltd.

• Office Address: 2nd Floor, Dayanand Smriti Building, Swami Vivekanand Road, Panaji, Goa – 403001
• Telephone: 08322426949 / 2426268
• Email: [email protected]