Patna, Aug 9 (IANS) Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is bringing a rapid turnaround in the lives of residents in Sheikhpura district by providing them financial assistance.

Gauri Kumari and her husband Lalan Pandey have emerged as shining examples of financial empowerment under the scheme, as they successfully leveraged the scheme to their advantage, improved their own financial standing, and are also creating jobs for others.

Gauri Kumari recounts that she used to work in the marketing sector with a meagre income. One day she learnt about PMEGP – a flagship scheme of the Central government and became one of the subscribers. She purchased sewing and handicraft machines and started her own venture.

Initially, she faced numerous challenges, but her hard work and dedication eventually led to her success. Today, she earns a handsome income and provides employment to around 20 people.

Her husband, Lalan Pandey, also faced much hardship before becoming part of the enterprise. He operated sewing machines in Delhi and Ghaziabad but chose to return to his village during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, the couple have not only become self-reliant but are also generating employment opportunities within their village.

Gauri Kumari stated that if they receive further assistance from the government, they could expand their business to include up to 200 sewing machines, providing employment to approximately 200 people.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gauri Kumari and Lalan Pandey remarked that such schemes are nothing short of a boon for the poor and unemployed, including them.

They urged the youth and women, in particular, to inform themselves about government schemes, avail their benefits, and steer their lives in a new direction by becoming self-reliant.

Notably, the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a central government scheme which assists prospective beneficiaries in establishing new micro-enterprises, primarily with small project costs, which are facilitated through small loans.

--IANS

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