Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet Based Products

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, runs the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP). Its core aim is to raise the use of millets in food products and expand value addition throughout the food processing sector. Millets, commonly called 'nutri-cereals', are drawing greater attention for their health advantages and ability to withstand climate change, which makes the scheme important for bringing them into mainstream diets and markets.

Support under the scheme works by providing incentives for manufacturing selected millet-based products and for selling them in domestic as well as international markets. This backing is intended to strengthen how well Indian millet-based products compete globally and to make India a hub for millet processing. The PLISMBP runs for five years, from Financial Year 2022-23 to FY 2026-27, with a total outlay of ₹800 crore.

MoFPI oversees implementation, and IFCI Limited is presently the designated Project Management Agency (PMA). Incentives are tied to incremental sales measured against a predefined base year (FY 2020-21 for initial claims) and depend on meeting minimum specified growth rates. This performance-linked design ensures public funds are used effectively to drive real market expansion. To be eligible, products must have more than 15% millet content and be manufactured entirely within India, which supports domestic value chains. Applicants are chosen through a rigorous evaluation process and a ranking system that identifies high-potential businesses.

- **Step 1: Wait for the EOI to be issued:** Applicants are required to wait until the Ministry of Food Processing Industries publishes the Expression of Interest (EOI) covering millet-based products. - **Step 2: Reach the online portal:** After the EOI is published, applicants have to log on to the dedicated application portal run by the Project Management Agency (PMA) at https://plimofpi.ifciltd.com. - **Step 3: Fill in the application form:** Complete the Application Form (Annexure-1, which normally forms part of the guidelines) in full, covering company details, the project being proposed, and particulars relating to application fees. - **Step 4: Attach supporting documents:** Upload every supporting document called for in the application form and the scheme guidelines. These generally comprise incorporation documents, financial statements, Udyam registration (in the case of MSMEs), and product details. - **Step 5: Give details of manufacturing sites:** Provide full particulars of every manufacturing site proposed for the eligible products under the scheme, whether owned by the applicant or operated under contract manufacturing arrangements. - **Step 6: Furnish audit consent undertaking:** Submit a signed undertaking (Format A, Annexure 7) giving consent for audit of manufacturing sites and offices by the relevant authorities. - **Step 7: Remit the application fee:** A fee of ₹1,00,000 applies to Large Entities and ₹10,000 to MSME applicants, and must be paid online through NEFT/RTGS before the application window closes. An application stands invalid if the fee is not paid. - **Step 8: File the application online:** Submit the completed application online within the notified application window. Physical submissions are not accepted, and applications arriving after the deadline will not be considered. - **Step 9: Obtain an Application ID:** On successful submission, a unique Application ID is generated and issued for future reference and tracking. - **Step 10: Prima facie examination by the PMA:** The Project Management Agency (PMA) carries out an initial examination of the application within 15 working days to confirm completeness and compliance with basic requirements. - **Step 11: PMA evaluation and recommendation:** The PMA then evaluates the application in detail against the prescribed criteria and sends its recommendations to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. - **Step 12: Approval by MoFPI:** The Ministry examines the recommendations and aims to approve eligible applications within 90 days from the closure of the application window, provided all documentation is complete and satisfactory. - **Step 13: Issue of approval letter:** Once approval is granted, the PMA issues an official approval letter to the selected applicant within 5 working days. - **Step 14: Submission of annual claims:** Selected applicants have to file annual claims for incentive disbursement, together with all required supporting documents, for each financial year over the scheme's tenure.

Applications for the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet Based Products go through several stages of scrutiny. The Project Management Agency (PMA), presently IFCI Limited, first screens each application within 15 working days, carrying out a prima facie examination for completeness and basic eligibility.

Those that clear this stage are then evaluated in detail by the PMA against predefined criteria and a ranking system, covering the business plan, projected incremental sales, commitment to millet content, manufacturing capabilities and financial viability. The PMA's recommendations are placed before the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, which holds final authority to approve applications, with a target of 90 days from the close of the application window provided all documentation is complete and satisfactory. Approved applicants receive an approval letter from the PMA.