Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Small IndustriesIntroduction There are an estimated 128.44 lakh registered
and unregistered micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in the country
at the end of March 2007, providing employment to an estimated 309.11
lakh persons. The MSE sector contributes about 39% of the manufacturing
sector output and 33% of the nation’s exports. Of all the
problems faced by the MSEs, non-availability of timely and adequate
credit at reasonable interest rate is one of the most important.
One of the major causes for low availability of bank finance to
this sector is the high risk perception of the banks in lending
to MSEs and consequent insistence on collaterals which are not easily
available with these enterprises. The problem is more serious for
micro enterprises requiring small loans and the first generation
entrepreneurs. The institutions, which are eligible under the scheme, are scheduled commercial banks (Public Sector Banks/Private Sector Banks/Foreign Banks) and select Regional Rural Banks (which have been classified under ‘Sustainable Viable’ category by NABARD). National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) and SIDBI have also been made eligible institutions. As on September 30, 2007, there are 62 Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) of the Trust, comprising 28 Public Sector Banks, 13 Private Sector Banks, 18 Regional Rural Banks and 3 other Institutions viz., NSIC, NEDFI and SIDBI. Eligible Credit Facility The credit facilities which are eligible to be covered under the scheme are both term loans and working capital facility up to Rs.50 lakh per borrowing unit, extended without any collateral security or third party guarantee, to a new or existing micro and small enterprise. For those units covered under the guarantee scheme, which may become sick owing to factors beyond the control of management, rehabilitation assistance extended by the lender could also be covered under the guarantee scheme. It is noteworthy that if the credit facility exceeds Rs.50 lakh, it may still be covered under the scheme but the guarantee cover will be extended for credit assistance of Rs.50 lakh only. Another important requirement under the scheme is that the credit facility should be availed by the borrowing unit from a single lending institution. However, the unit already assisted by the State Level Institution/NSIC/NEDFi can be covered under the scheme for the credit facility availed from member bank, subject to fulfillment of other eligibility criteria. Any credit facility in respect of which risks are additionally covered under a scheme, operated by Government or other agencies, will not be eligible for coverage under the scheme. Guarantee Cover The guarantee cover available under the scheme is to the extent of 75 per cent of the sanctioned amount of the credit facility. The extent of guarantee cover is 80 per cent for (i) micro enterprises for loans up to Rs.5 lakh; (ii) MSEs operated and/or owned by women; and (iii) all loans in the North-East Region. In case of default, Trust settles the claim up to 75% (or 80%) of the amount in default of the credit facility extended by the lending institution. For this purpose the amount in default is reckoned as the principal amount outstanding in the account of the borrower, in respect of term loan, and amount of outstanding working capital facilities, including interest, as on the date of the account turning Non-Performing Asset (NPA). Tenure of Guarantee The Guarantee cover under the scheme is for the agreed tenure of the term loan/composite credit. In case of working capital, the guarantee cover is of 5 years or block of 5 years. Fee for Guarantee The fee payable to the Trust under the scheme is one-time guarantee fee of 1.5% and annual service fee of 0.75% on the credit facilities sanctioned. For all loans in the North-East Region, the one-time guarantee fee is only 0.75%. Website The operations of CGTMSE are conducted through internet. The website of CGTMSE has been hosted at www.cgtsi.org.in Scheme Awareness Programmes CGTMSE has adopted multi-channel approach for creating awareness about its guarantee scheme amongst banks, MSE associations, entrepreneurs, etc. through print and electronic media, by conducting workshops/seminars, attending meetings convened at various district/state/national fora, etc. As on 30 September 2007, 527 workshops and seminars were conducted on Credit Guarantee Scheme. Also, CGTMSE participated in 15 exhibitions and attended 165 SLBC/meetings convened by RBI/other Government offices. Posters and mailers have been circulated to banks, industry associations, and other stakeholders for promoting the scheme and creating its greater awareness. With a view to imparting training to MLIs through their training colleges, multimedia CD-ROM containing operational modalities of the scheme, was distributed to the staff training centers/colleges of the MLIs. The Trust has recently launched an advertisement campaign in 194 newspapers across the country through DAVP, which has created considerable awareness about the scheme among the target audience. Operational Highlights of CGTMSE
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