Solar Charkha Mission

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched the Solar Charkha Mission on 27th June 2018 on the occasion of United Nations MSME Day. The government recently has released information about this enterprise-driven mission. Among various other government schemes, Solar Charkha Scheme too can be asked in the IAS Exam. Read the relevant facts about the mission in this article.

Background of Solar Charkha Mission

1. In 2016, a pilot project of mission solar charkha was run in Khanwa village of Bihar’s Nawada district.
2. After the success of the mission solar charkha pilot project, It was officially introduced in 2018 on United Nations MSME Day.

Salient Points of Solar Charkha Mission

1. Establishment of Solar Charkha Clusters:
   • It is a focal village along with surrounding villages (within the radius of 8-10 kms.)
   • It will have 200-2042 beneficiaries.
   • Spinners, weavers, stitches and other skilled artisans are the beneficiaries of mission solar charkha (MSC.)
2. The components of solar charkha:
   • Each beneficiary will get two solar charkhas of 10 spindles each.
   • One cluster is to have 1000 solar charkhas.
   • 2042 artisans will get direct employment in a cluster that will work with full capacity.
3. The government has set an outlay of Rs.550 crores for 50 clusters between 2018-2020.
4. One lakh artisans with a focus on women and youth will be directly employed in 50 clusters under the solar charkha scheme.
5. One cluster will attract a maximum subsidy of Rs. 9.60 crores.

Objectives of Solar Charkha Mission

1. Inclusive growth – The mission solar charkha aims to enhance inclusivity by employing women, youngsters in this mission.
2. Sustainable Development – The use of solar charkhas in the scheme aims to promote sustainable development in rural areas.
3. Rural Economic Development – The group of villages are going to act as clusters and hence, through employment generation, the mission aims to boost the rural economy.
4. Arresting Migration – The mission aims to contain the migration from villages to cities. As a fact, according to census 2011, 37 percent of Indians are internal migrants.
5. Promote low-cost and innovative technologies.

Financial Assistance to the Solar Charkha Scheme

There are three types of project interventions:

1. Capital subsidy for individual and for Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)
2. Interest Subvention for Working Capital
3. Capacity Building.

Solar Charkha Mission – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here

Aspirants should read about the important government schemes designed for women and children from the links mentioned below: