Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme For Micro & Small Enterprises in Bangalore, Karnataka – Meaning, Features, Pre-requisites, Benefits, Duration, Process

A bankable business idea remains a mere idea without the necessary guidance and funds. It’s a known fact that Bangalore, Karnataka is growing large in terms of economic development and business entrepreneurship, witnessing more than six crores of micro and small enterprises under the organized as well as unorganized sectors. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises hold an immense contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

For years, MSMEs have played a key role in the economic upliftment of the economy by creating wealth, bringing foreign reserves to the nation, and creating employment opportunities all over the country. Till today, they account for at least 30-40% of GDP and around 48% of total exports and support bigger corporations by supplying raw materials and related goods to them. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 introduce and defines micro, small and medium enterprise businesses according to their annual turnover and investments in the plant & pieces of machinery in the business.

However, the most challenging aspect faced by the MSMEs in Bangalore, Karnataka is to meet competition against competitors in the relevant market with limited resources, which affects their organizations as well as their developmental growth. Be it the requirement of working capital, purchase of assets or pieces of equipment, advertisement or promotion-related costs, or labor costs, MSMEs need funds for various purposes which couldn’t be fulfilled through savings only. This problem is even worse in the case of first-generation entrepreneurs who have little idea about the sources of raising or seeking funds and the manner of doing the same.

Usually, the first thing that comes into mind is business loans, but it is often difficult to avail of business loans when the start-ups are at a nascent stage due to the higher perceived risk amongst banks in lending to MSEs. Therefore, realizing the need to develop a strong stimulus to MSMEs to ensure there is the adequacy of liquidity maintained in the business operations of government and financial institutions, the Government of India has introduced as many as 50 schemes with various objectives to ensure seamless flow of credit delivery to MSMEs, one of which is the Credit Guarantee Scheme. The article mentioned below describes all the meaning & objectives, benefits, eligibility, and fiscal incentives extended to MSEs under the scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka.

What is the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka?

As part of the Start-up India action plan in 2017, this scheme was reformed under the mutual efforts of the Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) under the administration of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). For effective implementation of the schema Credit Guarantee Fund Trust has been created under which the Government and SIDBI contribute in the ratio of 4:1 for the corpus of the fund.

The CGFS scheme was launched with the purpose to strengthen the credit delivery system and smoothening the flow of credit to the MSE through the access of funds to the unserved, under-served and underprivileged to help the movement of funds from conventional lenders to new generation entrepreneurs. The CGS scheme has been instrumental in affording guarantee covers to collateral and/or third-party guarantee-free credit facilities extended by eligible Member Lending Institution (MLIs) to MSEs.

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme For Micro & Small Enterprises in Karnataka

Located in the South-Western region of India, Karnataka was formed in 1956 with the passage of the ‘State Reorganisation Act.’ Earlier the state was known as Mysore, but in 1973 it was renamed Karnataka. The bordering states of Karnataka are Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Demographically Karnataka is the 8th largest state by population, with a population density of 319 people per square kilometer.
The sex ratio of the state is 973 females per thousand males. Kannad is the state’s official language, and the other minority languages spoken in Karnataka are Urdu, Konkani, Marathi, Tullu, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kodava, and Beary. Even there are some villages in Karnataka where Sanskrit is primarily spoken. The word Karnataka is derived from the Kannada words Karu and Nadu, meaning elevated land; some people also interpret the meaning of Karu Nadu as Black region. The state is called the black region because of the black cotton soil found in the Bayalu Seeme region of Karnataka.
The economy of Karnataka is the sixth-largest economy in India, and it ranks 9th in the state human development index of India. The state is the manufacturing hub for some of the largest public sector industries in India, including – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aerospace Laboratories, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, etc. – these public sector industries are based in Bangalore.
Besides this, many of India’s premier science and technology research centers, including – the Central Powers Research Institute, the Indian Space Research Organisation, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Central Food Technological Research Institute, are also headquartered in Karnataka. The majority of the silk industry in India also has its base in Karnataka. India is agricultural land and Karnataka is no exception in this case. Agriculture-related activities are the primary sources of income in Karnataka, as nearly 56% of the workforce in Karnataka is directly or indirectly engaged in agriculture or agriculture-related activities.
Capital- Bangalore

The startup ecosystem in Karnataka
With the sixth-largest economy in India, Karnataka has one of the most mature startup ecosystems in India; that’s why Bengaluru, situated in Karnataka, is known as the startup capital of India. The state government has taken multiple initiatives to encourage startups and build a conducive startup ecosystem in the state. Karnataka was the top performer in the startup ranking exercise 2018 conducted by the department of industrial policy and promotion.
In November 2015, the Government of Karnataka launched its startup policy. The key features of the policy are as follows: –
According to the startup policy of Karnataka, the government will assist in setting up TBIs in institutions of high learning.
The state government would support the private sector so that they can set up incubation centers and accelerators or expand existing facilities and operations.
According to the startup policy of the Karnataka government, the state shall maintain a list of common instrumentation facilities present across the state.
To encourage and set up a robust startup ecosystem, the state government provides funding in the form of a Grant-in-aid to innovators. The funding will be up to 50 lakh rupees and will be provided to the innovators and businessmen who need early-stage funding.
According to the startup policy of Karnataka, the new age incubation scheme that is currently in execution at engineering colleges will be expanded to all the professional & post-graduate institutions in tier-two cities.

Startup ideas in Karnataka
Food delivery business
Food delivery services are highly required in the urban areas of Karnataka. The state has a large working population that orders online food, thus expanding the scope of food delivery services. If you are good at managing people and organizing the workforce, then you should try your hands at food delivery services in Karnataka.

Translation agency
Karnataka is popularly known as the byte-basket of the country for attracting huge foreign investors. For sealing business deals, the investors meet with the companies, but language is a barrier. The inflow of investors for business deals has opened various opportunities for multilingual people. Translators are required to overcome the language barrier; thus, opening a translation agency is an ideal business idea in Karnataka.

Organic food business
People are getting more health-conscious daily, and they are looking for more organic foods and items, thus expanding the scope of the organic food business. To establish an organic food business in Karnataka, you need to grow good quality organic food and sell them to the suppliers. Organic farming is different from normal agriculture, so you have to invest extra money and effort in setting up an organic food business. Once this business is set up, you will make huge profits because nowadays, people are getting more health-conscious and do not mind spending extra money on organic food.

Food processing business
The state is predicted to become the leading food processing hub in India. The food processing industry of Karnataka is undoubtedly on the threshold of demand-led growth in the country. Karnataka has ten agro-climatic zones, and its land topography is also suitable for agriculture, making it one of India’s most agriculturally diverse states. More agriculture means a rise in demand for food processing units; thus, establishing a food processing business in Karnataka can help you make huge profits.

Disposable plates business
Today everything is made of plastic. Setting up disposable cutlery and plates built from banana leaves is a good business idea in Karnataka. Honestly, disposable cutleries and containers are part of our daily life; we use them regularly. Plastic cups and plates are heavily used; we use them even after knowing they harm our environment. People do want to bring a change, but they don’t know the alternative to plastic.
Karnataka has a lot of banana trees, which means that the raw material is locally available for setting up disposable plates and cutlery made from banana leaves. By setting up this business, you will make a profit and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. This business needs a considerable amount of investment, but once it is established, it will help you make huge profits.

How the scheme does work in Bangalore, Karnataka?

By entering partnerships with over 100 member lending institutions (including scheduled banks, regional rural banks, and cooperative banks), the scheme offers guarantee cover for insufficient or no collateral to businesses in dire need of funds for their business. They benefit the member lending institutions by assuring up to 85 to 90% of repayments in case the borrower MSE defaults on the payments, and on the other hand, support businesses by emphasizing lending institutions to focus more on the viability of the businesses rather than collateral or third-party guarantees.

Not only this, but the CGS scheme has also introduced another scheme to offer financial support to stressed MSEs through guarantee coverage for providing personal loans through banks to promoters of the stressed MSMEs for infusion of equity/quasi-equity/sub-debt in the businesses who are eligible for restructuring as per RBI guidelines, which is known as CGS Sub-Debt Scheme. Here, the proportion of guarantee coverage between CGSTMSE to promoters of stressed MSEs will be 9:1.

Features of the Credit Guarantee Scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka

      i. The MSE must be recognized as a start-up by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for the purpose of being eligible for the credit guarantee.

      ii. The guarantee covers must be offered based on portfolios and there must be at least 10 start-up loans for any particular financial year.

      iii. The credit guarantee cover so offered may include any other monetary assistance such as Venture capital, working capital, debentures, optionally convertible debt, term loans, etc. up to a sum of Rs. 5 crores to every eligible MSE start-up.

     iv. Credit guarantee offers loans of composite nature which may include unsecured term loans or working capital loans or both.

       v. The loans so offered do not need collateral or a third-party guarantee from the borrower.

     vi.  In case the borrower becomes financially sick during the tenure of the loan, the member lender institution may also offer rehabilitation facilities

      vii.  The minimum guarantee cover is 50% while the Maximum guarantee cover could go up to 85% of the loan amount only.

Eligibility of the CGS Scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka

      i. All New and existing MSE enterprises engaged in either manufacturing or service activity shall be eligible to avail of this scheme.

      ii. However, businesses engaged in activities such as education, agriculture, Self-help Groups (SHGs), training institutions, etc. shall not be entitled to avail of this scheme.

      iii. Each borrower MSE should have a valid PAN number before availing of a credit facility from the eligible lending institution apart from with no history of default in loan repayments.

      iv. Borrower MSEs shall also be eligible to seek & obtain joint financing (such as term loan from State financial institution and Working capital from a commercial bank), but sharing of securities will not be allowed to start-ups.

      v. In terms of lenders, there are more than 133 eligible banks/financial institutions registered as member lending institutions with CGTMSE.

Pre-requisites of CGSS in Bangalore, Karnataka

     i. It shall be compulsory for every borrower start-up MSE to complete the KYC process for the following persons in Bangalore, Karnataka-

        a. For all resident partners or directors – submission of a copy of the Aadhaar

         b. For all non-resident partners or directors – a copy of the passport.

       ii. The management of the National Credit Guarantee Trust Company will administer the functioning of the scheme and set the terms and rules for its functioning as it sees fit.

       iii. A Management Committee shall be formed to monitor the Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs

       iv. A Risk Evaluation Committee shall be constituted to undertake and address issues related to any conflicts of interest that may arise in any case.

Guarantee Cover Fees under the CGSS scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka

Benefits of the CGS Scheme in Bangalore, Karnataka

       i. Availability of Guarantee Cover for MSEs in Bangalore, Karnataka– The primary purpose of the CGS scheme is to offer a seamless credit delivery facility to MSEs by resolving the problem of collateral or guarantee. Thus, availing of this scheme relieves MSEs from arranging collaterals or looking for third-party guarantors to avail business loans for their business.

       ii. Boosts Participation of Women Entrepreneurs in Business Industry in Bangalore, Karnataka– For encouraging the participation and contribution of women entrepreneurs in the Indian business ecosystem, the scheme offers special guarantee cover rates (up to 80% of the loan amounts) to MSE units either operated and/or owned by women.

      iii. Reassurance to MLIs in Bangalore, Karnataka– Generally, banks or financial institutions are reluctant to offer loan facilities to start-ups and MSEs at the early stages of development due to higher risks of business failures or payment defaults by borrowers involved. Therefore, the CGS scheme reassures the MLIs that the Guarantee Trust would make good the loss incurred by the lender up to 50/75/80/85 percent of the credit facility in case of payment defaults by the borrower.

       iv. Ensuring the seamless flow of Credit Delivery in Bangalore, Karnataka– Since the CGTMSE affords guarantee cover for the borrower MSE, it emphasizes the seamless flow of credit delivery for working capital or other business purposes based on the viability of the profit-making business idea of the start-up MSE.

       v. Encourages a spirit of Entrepreneurship in Bangalore, Karnataka- CGS is primarily focused on supporting the entrepreneurial zeal of millions of youth who are first-generation entrepreneurs having bankable business ideas by helping them to set their viable micro and small enterprises, ultimately making them job providers from job seekers.

       vi. Financial support to stressed MSEs in Bangalore, Karnataka– Finally, the CGS scheme for financially stressed MSEs is aimed at helping in the restructuring of the business unit through a guarantee covering up to 90% of such MSEs.

Fiscal Incentives in Bangalore, Karnataka

Under the scheme, all new and existing micro and small units will be eligible to avail of loans with any collateral/third party guarantee free credit facility (including both fund and non-fund based) facilities including Service Enterprises with a maximum limit of Rs. 2 crores per unit for term loans and/or working capital loan facilities. Lately, the CGSS scheme has also extended guarantee coverage facilities to certain NBFCs and Small Finance Banks.

The guarantee cover available under the scheme will be available to the extent of (50% or 75% or 80% or 85%) of the approved amount of the credit facility.  However, in case any default is committed by the borrower MSE, then the CGSTMSE will settle the claim with up to 75% of the amount in default of the credit facility extended by the lending institution for credit facilities up to 2Crores. The applicable fiscal interventions have been provided below-

Duration for Repayment with Moratorium Period for CGS

The credit guarantee will begin from the date of the payment of the guarantee fee by the borrower MSE till the agreed term of the credit facilities in case of term loans/composite loans, whereas in the case where only working capital facilities have been availed by the borrower then for five years or such period as may be specified by the CGTMSE in this behalf.

Process of Availing CGS Scheme online in Bangalore, Karnataka

Provided below is the step-by-step process of availing of the CGS scheme online in Bangalore, Karnataka-

      i. The first and the foremost step to avail of this scheme is to arrange all important documents, projected financial statements, and properly laid business loans. The business plan should reflect the viability of the project.

      ii. Once, the business model is constructed properly, the MSE unit should carefully choose any bank/financial institution to avail credit facilities from the CGTMSE portal where such lender is a member lending institution.

      iii. Once, it is done an application for a loan along with the business plans is to be submitted. The bank will check the documents and business plans and submit a copy of the same to the CGTMSE if it finds everything is in order and correct.

      iv. On receipt of the application, the CGTMSE will scrutinize the application again and on being satisfied will instruct the bank to release funds for the business.

      v. Upon receipt of approval of the credit facility, the borrower will be required to pay the CGTMSE guarantee and service fee.

Therefore, the CGSF is a beneficial scheme for MSEs and start-ups which relieves the pressure of finding guarantors or arranging collaterals, which is hard for businesses in the initial years. With a track record of approving and providing guarantee covers worth Rs.45,821 crores, the scheme has gained 52% growth in coverage terms of the amount which has led to its significant popularity among MSEs. While expanding its scope to cover segments such as partially collateralized loans, Retail Trade, and uncovered lenders like NBFCs Small Finance Banks, and Scheduled Co-Operative Banks.

With increased awareness, now MSEs looking for credit facilities will approach lenders to avail of loan facilities under the CGS scheme and tackle any financial shortcomings that may come in the way of their business. CGS Features like credit delivery facilities at attractive interest rates, with a guarantee to cover between 75-85 % of the loan amount from more than 133 member lending institutions covering a wide range of business activities, will offer promising prospects to boost entrepreneurship among youth generation making them job providers rather than job seekers and even helping in employment generation prospects for the nation for a developed economy.