Patna, June 15: The government today appealed to entrepreneurs to avail subsidy benefits being provided by the state in agriculture.

At the valedictory session of a two-month-long training programme conducted by Bihar Industries Association (BIA) to manufacture vermicompost under its entrepreneurship development programme, planning and development department principal secretary Vijoy Prakash said: “People willing to set up their business entity after the training should try to make their establishments viable and not depend on subsidy. The entrepreneurs should take subsidy as an additional support only.”

Prakash added: “The administration is doling out subsidies. But people are not aware of it. I request all of you (entrepreneurs) to reap the benefits of the government’s subsidy scheme. It’s not charity, it’s your legitimate right.”

Praising the BIA’s initiative, the principal secretary said: “After creating an infrastructure base of roads, water, power and others, skill development is the biggest challenge before the government. The skill development programme has to be conducted for around 5 to 6 lakh people per year in the future.”