RBI/2015-16/141
FIDD.GSSD.CO.BC.No.10/09.16.03/2015-16

July 30, 2015

The Chairman/ Managing Director
All Scheduled Commercial Banks

Dear Sir/Madam,

Master Circular - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM)

Reserve Bank of India has periodically issued instructions/directives to banks with regard to operationalisation of the Government of India’s National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) Scheme which replaced the erstwhile Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY). To enable banks to have current instructions at one place, this Master Circular is being issued which consolidates all the previous instructions on NULM issued by RBI up to June 30, 2015, which are listed in the Appendix.

Please acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,

(Madhavi Sharma)
Chief General Manager

Master Circular- National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM)

Background

The Government of India, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA), restructured the existing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) and launched the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in 2013. NULM has been under implementation w.e.f. September 24, 2013 in all district headquarters (irrespective of population) and all the cities with population of 1 lakh or more while SJSRY was allowed to continue to be operational till March 31, 2014.

The Self Employment Program (SEP) is one of the components (Component 4) of NULM which will focus on providing financial assistance through a provision of interest subsidy on loans to support establishment of individual & Group Enterprises and self-Help Groups (SHGs) of urban poor. The erstwhile provision of capital subsidy for USEP (Urban Self Employment Program) and UWSP (Urban Women Self-Help Program) components of SJSRY has been replaced by interest subsidy for loans to Individual enterprise (SEP- I), Group enterprise (SEP- G) and Self Help Groups (SHGs).

SEP - OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES

The operational guidelines of the Self Employment Program (SEP) component of NULM are as under :

1. Introduction:

1.1. This component focuses on financial assistance to individuals/groups of urban poor for setting up gainful self-employment ventures/ micro-enterprises, suited to their skills, training, aptitude and local conditions. The component will also support Self Help Groups (SHGs) of urban poor to access easy credit from bank and avail interest subsidy on SHG loans. The component will further focus on technology, marketing and other support services to the individuals, group entrepreneurs, SHG members and Urban street vendors/ hawkers engaged in micro enterprises for their livelihoods. The component will also facilitate issuance of credit cards for working capital requirement of the entrepreneurs.

1.2. The underemployed and unemployed urban poor will be encouraged to set up small enterprises relating to manufacturing, servicing and petty business for which there is considerable local demand. Local skills and local crafts should be particularly encouraged. Each Urban Local Body (ULB) should develop a compendium of such activities/projects keeping in view skills available, marketability of products, costs, economic viability etc.

1.3 The percentage of women beneficiaries under SEP shall not be less than 30 percent. SCs and STs must be benefited at least to the extent of the proportion of their strength in the city/town population of poor. A special provision of 3 percent reservation should be made for the differently-abled under this program. In view of the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Program for the Welfare of Minorities, at least 15 percent of the physical and financial targets under this component shall be earmarked for the minority communities.

2. Selection of Beneficiary: The Community Organizers (COs) and professionals from Urban Local Body (ULB) will identify the prospective beneficiaries from among the urban poor. The community structures formed under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of NULM viz. Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Area Level Federations (ALFs) may also refer prospective individual and group entrepreneurs for purpose of financial assistance under SEP to ULB. The beneficiaries may directly approach ULB or its representatives for assistance. Banks may also identify prospective beneficiaries at their end and send such cases directly to ULB.

3. Educational Qualifications and Training Requirement: No minimum educational qualification is required for prospective beneficiaries under this component. However where the identified activity for micro-enterprise development requires some special skills appropriate training must be provided to the beneficiaries before extending financial support by linking for training under Component 3: Employment through Skills Training and Placement (EST&P). Financial assistance should be extended only after the prospective beneficiary has acquired required skills for running the proposed micro-enterprise.

3.1. Such training may not be necessary if the beneficiary has already undergone training from a known institution, registered NGO/Voluntary Organization or trained under any government scheme provided requisite certificate is produced. In case the beneficiary has acquired requisite skills from family occupation such cases should be certified by the ULB before extending financial assistance.

3.2 Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP): In addition to skill training of the beneficiaries, the ULB will also arrange to conduct Entrepreneurship Development Program for 3-7 days for individual and group entrepreneurs. The EDP will cover basics of entrepreneurship development such as management of an enterprise, basic accounting, financial management, marketing, backward and forward linkages, legal procedures, costing and revenue etc. In addition to above topics the module should also include group dynamics, allocation of work, profit sharing mechanism etc. for group enterprises.

3.3 The EDP module may be developed and finalized by State Urban Livelihoods Mission (SULM) supported by State Mission Management Unit (SMMU) with assistance of an empaneled institution/agency or consulting firm and same may be utilized for conducting training program by the ULB. This EDP training may be arranged through institutions such as Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETI), reputed institutions engaged in entrepreneurship development/ training, management/ educational institutes, reputed NGOs engaged in entrepreneurship development/ training etc.

3.4. Any cost incurred on training of beneficiaries under this component is to be met out of EST&P component budget.

4. Pattern of Financial Assistance: The financial assistance available to urban poor in setting up individual and group enterprises will be in the form of Interest subsidy on the bank loans. Interest subsidy, over and above 7% rate of interest will be available on a bank loan for setting up of individual or group enterprises. The difference between 7% p.a. and the prevailing rate of interest will be provided to banks under NULM. Suitable certification from banks will be obtained in this regard.

5. Procedure for interest subsidy:

5.1. All scheduled commercial banks (SCBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and cooperative banks, which are on the Core Banking Solution (CBS) platform would be eligible for getting interest subvention under the scheme.

5.2. After disbursement of loan to the beneficiaries, the concerned branch of the bank will send details of disbursed loan cases to ULB along with details of interest subsidy amount.

5.3. The settlement of claims made by banks would be done on quarterly basis by the ULBs, however the submission of claims should be monthly. The ULB will check the data at their end and will release the interest subsidy amount (difference between 7% p.a. and prevailing rate of interest) to the banks.

5.4 A prescribed format for interest subsidy claims for loans under this component is enclosed (Annex I).

5.5 The State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs) have the option of evolving any alternative procedure of aggregating/ sanction of claims in consultation with the state government.

5.6 The pending claims should not be more than a quarter. In case the claims of the banks are not settled for a period of 6 months, SLBC is empowered to stop the scheme temporarily in selected cities subject to clearance of claims by such ULBs. In such eventualities, the claims settlement should prospectively be given to the Lead District Bank.

6 Sub-Component - Individual Enterprises (SEP-I)-Loan & Subsidy

6.1 An urban poor individual beneficiary desirous of setting up an individual micro-enterprise for self-employment can avail benefit of subsidized loan under this component from any bank. The norms/ specifications for individual micro-enterprise loans are as follows:

6.2 Age: The prospective beneficiary should have attained the age of 18 Years at the time of applying for loan.

6.3 Project Cost (PC): The Maximum unit Project Cost for individual micro-enterprises cases is Rs 200,000 (Rs Two Lakhs).

6.4 Collateral on Bank Loan: No collateral required. As per RBI Circular RPCD.SME & NFS.BC.No.79/06.02.31/2009-10 dated May 6, 2010 banks are mandated not to accept collateral security in the case of loans up to Rs10 lakhs extended to units in the MSE sector. Therefore, only the assets created would be hypothecated/ mortgaged/ pledged to banks for advancing loans. The banks may approach Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) setup by Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) and Government of India for the purpose of availing guarantee cover for SEP loans as per the eligibility of the activity for guarantee cover.

6.5 Repayment: Repayment schedule ranges from 5 to 7 Years after initial moratorium of 6-18 months as per norms of the banks.

7. Sub-Component - Group Enterprises (SEP-G) -Loan & Subsidy

A Self Help Group (SHG) or members of an SHG constituted under NULM or a group of urban poor desirous of setting up a group enterprise for self-employment can avail benefit of subsidized loans under this component from any bank. The norms/ specifications for group micro-enterprise loans are as follows:

7.1 Eligibility: The group enterprise should have minimum 5 members with a minimum of 70% members from urban poor families. The application/ intent to set up a group enterprise by beneficiaries/ group members should preferably be referred by the community structures viz: SHG/ ALF formed under NULM.

7.2 Age: All members of the group enterprise should have attained an age of 18 years at the time of applying for bank loan.

7.3 Project Cost (PC): The Maximum unit Project Cost for a group enterprise is Rs.10,00,000 (Rs Ten Lakhs)

7.4 Loan: Project Cost less the beneficiary contribution (as specified by bank) would be made available as loan amount to the group enterprise by the bank.

7.5 Collateral Guarantee on Bank Loan: No collateral/ guarantee required. Only the assets created would be hypothecated/ mortgaged/ pledged to banks for advancing loans. The banks may approach Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) as detailed in Para-6.4.

7.6 Repayment: Repayment schedule ranges from 5 to 7 Years after initial moratorium of 6- 18 months as decided by banks.

8 Procedure for Sponsoring of Applications:

8.1 The application for individual and group enterprise loans will be sponsored by the Urban Local Body (ULB) which will be the sponsoring agency for the individual and group enterprise.

8.2 The ULB will create awareness regarding SEP to the prospective beneficiaries through mass media campaigns, IEC activities, advertisements in local newspapers, City Livelihoods Centres (CLCs) etc. The ULB may also disseminate information regarding this component through active involvement of Resource Organizations and its field staff.

8.3 The beneficiaries desirous of seeking financial assistance for setting up an enterprise can submit an application of intent to the concerned ULB officials on a plain paper with basic details viz: Name, Age, Contact details, Address, Aadhaar details (if any), amount of loan required, bank account number (if available), type of enterprise/ activity, category etc. The intent could also be sent by mail /post to the ULB office. The ULB shall accept such intents throughout the year.

8.4 The community structures formed under Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of NULM viz: Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Area Level Federations (ALFs) may also refer prospective individual and group entrepreneurs for purpose of financial assistance under SEP to ULB.

8.5 On submission/receipt of the intent from the beneficiary the respective ULB will enter the details in a register/or MIS if available and hence will generate a waiting list of beneficiaries. The ULB will issue an acknowledgement to the beneficiary with a unique registration number, which may be used as a reference number for tracking the status of application.

8.6 Banks may also identify beneficiaries as per the eligibility criterion and receive the intent letter. The applications received directly by the banks will be referred to the ULB. The applications in this case will also form a part of the waiting list.

8.7 ULB will call the beneficiaries in order of the waiting list to complete requisite documentation including filling of Loan Application Form (LAF), activity details, identity proof, address proof, bank account details etc. The SULM may develop a Loan Application Form (LAF) in suitable format in consultation with State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) convener bank. The same LAF may be utilized across the State.

8.8 The applications completed in all respect will be sent to the TASK force constituted at ULB level for scrutiny, which will call the prospective beneficiaries for an interview before recommending or rejecting the application or call for additional information from the applicant if required.

8.9 The case duly recommended by the task force will be forwarded by the ULB to the concerned banks for further processing. Such cases recommended by task force have to be processed by concerned banks within a time frame of 15 days. As these cases are already recommended by the task force, such cases should be rejected by banks only in exceptional circumstances.

8.10 The banks will send a periodic report to the ULB on the status of the applications received. In case of MIS being used, the banks may be allowed to update the status of application online in addition to manual report.

9 Task Force at ULB Level

9.1 A Task Force may be constituted at ULB level for recommending cases for individual and group enterprises for onward transmission to the banks by the ULB. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/ Municipal Commissioner of ULB will be responsible to constitute the Task Force and will be the Chairman of the Task force. There could be more than 1 task force at ULB level depending upon the size/population of the ULB. The indicative composition of the Task Force is as follows :

9.2 The ULB will forward the applications to the task force, which will be scrutinized based on experience, skills, viability of activity, scope of the activity etc. Thereafter the Task Force will shortlist the applications and call for interview of the applicants.

9.3 The task force will then recommend the applications if found suitable, reject if found unsuitable or ask the beneficiary to submit further requisite information for re-examination on case to case basis.

10 Linkage with Credit Guarantee Scheme(CGS) of Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)

The banks may approach Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) setup by Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) and Government of India for the purpose of availing guarantee cover for SEP loans as per the eligibility of the activity for guarantee cover.

11. Progress Reporting for SEP-I & SEP-G

11.1 The ULB will prepare a data sheet of the applications recommended by the TASK force along with their status details of the sanction, disbursement and rejection (along with reasons) after validating the same with the respective banks. This data sheet will be sent to SULM on a monthly basis.

11.2 The SULM will compile all the reports received from respective ULBs and will communicate to M/o HUPA on a monthly basis.

11.3 SULM must ensure that progress under SEP is reviewed in every SLBC and District Consultative Committee (DCC) meetings. Any other important issue with regard to SEP may be taken up by SULM with SLBC convener bank for effective coordination and implementation.

12 Sub-Component - Interest Subsidy on SHG Loans (SHG-Bank Linkage)

12.1 Linking of SHGs with banks have been emphasized in the Monetary policy of Reserve Bank of India and Union Budget announcements from time to time and various guidelines in this regard have been issued by the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) to banks. To scale up the SHGs linkage program and make it sustainable, banks have been advised to consider lending to SHGs as part of their mainstream credit operations both at policy and implementation level.

12.2 Master Circular on SHG-Bank Linkage Program issued by Reserve Bank of India consists of the instructions to the banks for SHG bank Linkage. It includes Opening of Savings Bank Account of Self Help Groups (whether registered or unregistered), which are engaged in promoting habit of savings among their members as a starting point. Thereafter, the SHGs may be sanctioned Savings Linked Loans (varying from a saving to loan ratio of 1:1 to 1:4) after due assessment or grading by banks. However, in case of matured SHGs, loans may be given beyond the limit of four times the savings as per the discretion of the bank. The Banks have also been instructed that the advances to SHGs irrespective of the purposes for which the members of SHGs should be included by the banks as part of their lending to the weaker sections.

12.3 Under Social Mobilization & Institution Development (SM&ID) component of NULM, the ULB will do necessary groundwork to open bank accounts for SHGs and facilitating access to Revolving Fund (RF). The ULB may also engage Resource Organization (RO) for the purpose or may directly facilitate SHGs through its staff.(Concept & Formation of SHGs, ROs and Revolving Fund has been detailed out in Social Mobilization & Institutional Development (SM&ID) component of NULM).

12.4 With a view to provide access to credit at affordable rate of interest to the urban poor, NULM will provide interest subsidy for SHGs accessing bank loan. The interest subsidy will be the difference between the prevailing rate of interest charged by the bank and 7% per annum, on all loans to SHGs of urban poor. This difference in interest amount on SHG loan (between the prevailing rate of interest and 7% per annum) will be reimbursed to banks.

12.5 An additional 3 percent interest subvention will be provided to all Women SHGs (WSHGs), who repay their loan in time. The Interest subsidy will be subject to timely repayment of the loan (as per the loan repayment schedule) and suitable certification obtained from banks by the ULB. The additional 3% interest subvention amount will be reimbursed to the eligible WSHGs. The banks should credit the amount of 3% interest subvention to the eligible WHSGs accounts and thereafter seek the reimbursement.

12.6 The ULB through its field staff or Resource Organization (ROs) will facilitate filling of loan applications for eligible SHGs to access credit from the banks. The ULB will be responsible to forward the Loan application of the SHGs to the concerned banks with requisite documentation. The ULB will maintain area wise, bank-wise, ROs/ Staff wise data of SHGs loan applications forwarded to the banks. The same will be sent to SULM on a monthly basis.

12.7 The banks will send the details of disbursed loan cases to the ULB along with the calculation details of the interest subsidy amount. The ULB will check the data at their end and will release the interest subsidy amount on quarterly basis to the banks following a similar procedure as mentioned in Para 5. The prescribed format for claiming the additional interest subvention is enclosed at (Annex II).

12.8 In order to ensure effective SHG-Bank Linkage under NULM, the SULM will monitor and review the progress with banks on regular basis and co-ordinate with SLBC for interest subsidy/ subvention on SHG Loans in the state. Active involvement of State level Bankers Committee (SLBC) and lead banks may be ensured for sensitization of bank and branch staff for financial inclusion of urban poor.

12.9 It may be noted that the identification, selection, formation and monitoring of SHGs who are to get interest subvention would be the responsibility of State/ ULBs and banks would not be liable for wrong identification of SHGs who get interest subvention.

12.10 The criteria for prompt repayment is as follows

12.10.1 For Cash Credit Limit to SHGs:

1. Outstanding balance shall not have remained in excess of the sanctioned limit/ drawing power continuously for more than 30 days.

2. There should be regular credits and debits in the account. In any case there shall be at least one customer induced credit during the month.

3. Customer induced Credits during a month shall be sufficient to cover the interest debited during the month.

12.10.2 For Term Loan to SHGs: A term loan account where all of the interest payments and/or instalments of principal were paid within 30 days of the due date during the entire tenure of the loans would be considered as an account having prompt payment.

13 Credit Card for enterprise development

13.1 The financial assistance to the individual entrepreneurs though subsidized loan for setting up of enterprises under NULM could be viewed as initial impetus to facilitate livelihood support to the urban poor. However the individual entrepreneurs require further financial support in terms of working capital to make the enterprise economically sustainable. This may include immediate and short term monthly requirement of cash for meeting expenses for purchase of goods, raw materials and other miscellaneous expenditures etc. The micro-entrepreneur does not have a regular fixed monthly cash inflow/income to meet expenses arising out of entrepreneurial activities. To approach a financial institution for such immediate credit requirement, it requires procedural documentation and consumes a lot of time. This need for working capital credit is generally met from informal sources of credit (including money lenders) which is typically available at high rate of interest.

13.2 In order to support the micro-entrepreneurs to meet their working capital and miscellaneous credit needs, NULM will facilitate access to Credit Cards through banks.

13.3 The SULM in consultation with the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) will finalize the norms, limits and specifications for issuance of credit card to the individual entrepreneurs. The General Credit Card Scheme (GCC), which is being implemented by all scheduled commercial banks or any other variant of credit cards for enterprise development of banks in urban areas, may be explored by SULM and SLBC. The Circular on revised GCC scheme has been issued by RBI notification vide RPCD.MSME & NFS.BC.No.61/06.02.31/2013-14 dated December 02, 2013 available on RBI web-site ‘www.rbi.org.in’.

13.4 The ULB will identify the prospective beneficiaries and will facilitate linkages with banks for issuance of credit cards. The focus is to initially facilitate issuance of credit card to cover all the beneficiaries who have availed financial assistance under SEP. Additionally, other beneficiaries who are running their own business but have not availed assistance under SEP may also be covered if they satisfy the norms of issuance of credit cards.

13.5 The targets for the same may be decided at ULB level and the progress under this component is aggregated at SULM level and communicated to M/o HUPA periodically.

14 Technology, Marketing and Other Support

14.1 Micro entrepreneurs often need support in order to grow and sustain their businesses. Support needed may be for establishment, technology, marketing, and other services. Micro entrepreneurs who run very small businesses may need to gain a better understanding of what the market needs, demand of the products produced by them, prices, where to sell, etc. Support services under this component are envisaged with a view to provide an encouraging environment for development of micro enterprises.

14.2 The City Livelihoods Centers (CLCs) established under NULM will offer services to the micro-enterprises such as in establishment (licenses, certificates registration, legal services etc.), production, procurement, technology, processing, marketing, sales, packaging, accounting etc. for long term sustainability. CLC will also provide support in taking up feasibility/ assessment studies on market demand and market strategy for products and services of micro-enterprises.

14.3 All SEP individual and groups enterprises can avail the services from CLCs as per the norms of CLCs. The CLCs with support of ULB may also tie up with various other government schemes which offer services and benefits for micro-enterprise development.

14.4 The SULM may arrange for additional funds/professional assistance for the purpose of providing above services to CLCs.

15 Funding Pattern

15.1 Funding under this component will be shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75:25. In case of special category States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) this ratio will be 90:10 between the Centre and States.

15.2 The Ministry will allocate funds to the states on annual basis based on the targets assigned to the states. The states in consultation with the respective SLBCs and ULBs will decide the targets and corresponding funds will be allocated to ULBs so that full reimbursement to the banks on account of Interest subvention is settled during the financial year and no subvention amount remain overdue or pending with the States. Interest subvention as applicable from time to time will be advised by Govt. of India/RBI to the banks on yearly basis.

16 Monitoring and Evaluation

16.1 The SMMU at the State level and CMMU at the ULB level will closely monitor progress of activities / targets under this component, undertake reporting and evaluation. The SULM and the ULB/executing agencies shall report timely progress in formats prescribed by the Mission Directorate from time-to-time, indicating the cumulative achievement monthly and up to the end of the quarter and key issues in implementation.

16.2 To monitor progress of the targets vis-a-vis achievement under NULM, Banks are advised to furnish cumulative progress reports on quarterly basis as per enclosed proforma (Annex III & IV) to the Joint Secretary (UPA), Government of India, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi-110001, latest by the end of next month of the quarter to which they relate. Banks are also advised to send a copy of the above quarterly progress report to Reserve Bank of India on email.

16.3 In addition, under NULM, a comprehensive and robust IT-enabled NULM MIS will be established for tracking targets and achievements. States and ULBs will be required to submit their progress reports online and may also use this tool to monitor progress on the ground. In the spirit of proactive disclosure of information and ensuring transparency under NULM, key progress reports under SEP will also be made available in the public domain in a timely manner.

Appendix