Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme

The Ministry of Small Scale Industries (SSI) is operating a scheme for technology upgradation of Small Scale Industries (SSI) called the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS). The Scheme aims at facilitating technology upgradation by providing upfront capital subsidy to SSI units, including tiny, khadi, village and coir industrial units, on institutional finance (credit) availed of by them for modernisation of their production equipment (plant and machinery) and techniques. The Scheme (pre-revised) provided for 12 per cent capital subsidy to SSI units, including tiny units, on institutional finance availed of by them for induction of well established and improved technology in selected sub-sectors/products approved under the Scheme. The eligible amount of subsidy calculated under the pre-revised scheme was based on the actual loan amount not exceeding Rs.40 lakh.

Due to insufficient investment and lack of awareness of both the quality standards and access to modern technologies, a large percentage of SSI units continue with outdated technology and plant & machinery. With increasing competition due to liberalisation of the economy, the survival and growth of the SSI units are critically dependent on their modernisation and technological upgradation. Upgradation of both the process of manufacture and corresponding plant and machinery is necessary for the small enterprises to reduce the cost of production and remain price competitive at a time when cheaper products are easily available in the global market.

It is in this background that the Finance Minister made an announcement in the Budget Speech of 2004-05 to raise the ceiling for loans under the Scheme from Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 1 crore and rate of subsidy from 12 per cent to 15 per cent. Further, in the light of the experience gathered in implementing the Scheme, certain other modifications were also required to make it more useful to the SSI units, including tiny, khadi, village and coir industrial units, in taking up technology upgradation on a larger scale.