Banglashree for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Subsidy for Water Conservation/Environment Compliance (WCS)

The Banglashree for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises scheme was introduced on April 1, 2020 by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles, Government of West Bengal. It offers fiscal incentives to entrepreneurs setting up MSMEs throughout the state. The scheme seeks to encourage balanced growth of the MSME sector, build a sustainable ecosystem, make the most of available resources, create fresh employment, and widen operational reach, with the aim of establishing West Bengal as a leading state for MSMEs nationally.

One sub-scheme under this initiative is the Subsidy for Water Conservation/Environment Compliance (WCS), which remains in force until March 31, 2025. It applies to micro and small enterprises and provides reimbursement for costs incurred in installing captive Effluent Water Treatment Plants for wastewater recycling, along with other pollution control devices that are required.

Through this incentive, the scheme supports environmental sustainability and compliance in the manufacturing sector.

**Registration Process**: - Go to the Shilpasathi Portal and select 'Apply Online'. If you are a first-time user, choose 'Create New' to register. - Choose the Applicant Type (Industry /Business /Commercial /Charitable Society/ Govt. entity) and provide the Registration Number. - Complete every mandatory field on the 'User Registration' page, then select 'Register'.

**Application Process**: - Go to the Shilpasathi Portal and sign in with your username and password, or through OTP sent to your registered mobile number. - The user dashboard will open. Select 'ALL SERVICES', then choose 'MSME Incentive' from the services listed. - Select 'Create CAF'. A CAF ID will be generated for you. Select 'Apply Online' to move ahead. - Complete the "eligibility form" and select "Save and Continue", which redirects you to the common application form (CAF). - In the CAF, complete every mandatory field and select "Update and Continue" to preview the form. - Once the form is submitted, you will land on the "Dashboard", where the application status can be viewed. - From the Dashboard, select "Click to Proceed" to carry on with the application. Once finished, select "Save" to retain the updated information. - Select "Preview" to review the form before the final submission. - On the following screen, select "Go to Application" to complete the "Online Form - A" application. - You will arrive at the "APPLY SUBSIDY" section, where year-wise subsidy items for the application you intend to apply for can be checked. Once finished, select "SAVE". - You will then arrive at the "FILL UP SUBSIDY" tab. Enter the year-wise subsidy details for the incentive, and select "Add More" to view the multiple-year or year-wise breakup. - Upload the relevant documents, preview the details, select "VERIFY & SUBMIT", tick the declaration box and select "Submit Application". - Once Form-A is finally submitted, an application reference number will be issued to you. Use this number to check your application's status.

**Date of submission of first application**: The first application must be submitted within 12 months from the Date of Commencement of Commercial Production (DOCCP) or within 12 months from the date of notification of Banglashree, whichever is later.

The Shilpasathi Portal handles applications online. Assessment of eligibility draws on the details furnished in the submitted eligibility form, supplemented by the fuller particulars given in the common application form (CAF). Before anything is finalised, the concerned authorities examine the subsidy item details together with the documents uploaded, and it is on this basis that approval is granted or refused.