D-SAG is the nodal agency set up by the Government of Gujarat for developing and facilitating projects with private sector as well as leveraging funds. It is also the key agency for conducting dialogues with other Departments wherever necessary. While D-SAG transfers routine projects to Project Administrators for implementation, it is directly involved even at the implementation stage wherever unique and new ideas have been developed into projects.
Inviting project ideas
D-SAG has identified Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a strategic partner for canvassing new project ideas to private sector and seeking their feedback. When a party shows interest in the project concept, CII coordinates with D-SAG to further develop the project. D-SAG also invites new project ideas by directly approaching renowned agencies and through periodic advertisements in local dailies
Outcome guarantees and finalizing of MOU
After concretizing the project concept, outcome guarantees will be finalized and the MOU will be discussed with D-SAG. Project proposals are developed only once the outcome guarantees and MOUs have been cleared by D-SAG.
With regard to agro-based projects, the commercial partner will have to develop and implement the project with specific outcome guarantees, and will have to commit to setting up the first stage of value addition in the project taluka. The expectations from agro-based private sector units are:
- Project to cover 3,000-5,000 BPL families.
- Beneficiary families to earn an income of at least Rs. 30,000 per annum from the proposed activity.
- Beneficiary families are engaged full time in the proposed livelihood activity.
- Skill/asset created under the project lasts for one generation.
For training related projects for the service sector, the objective of the Government is to generate large-scale qualitative employment. Thus, smaller training programmes will not be considered at the state-level and may be directly discussed with Project Administrators. Private sector units will be at liberty to design their own programmes, with no ceilings put on the costs incurred per trainee. In the context of private sector training providers, the expectations from the Government are:
- Training provider should be able to train 300-1000 participants for a given course.
- At least 60% of the trainees should be able to earn an income of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 per annum after the training.
- In terms of value for money, participants should be able to recover the cost of training within the first 6-8 months of their finding a job.
- Arrangement of credit
- Infrastructure development
- Insurance and risk coverage
- R&D support