Assistance for Energy and Water Conservation — ₹25,000 Audit Subsidy — Frequently Asked Questions

It reimburses 50% of the fee your unit paid to a recognised institution or consultant for an energy or water audit. The reimbursement cannot exceed ₹25,000 in any case.

Micro, Small, Medium and Large Industries are all covered, as long as the unit invested on or after 1 April 2017 and meets the other conditions. Existing units that make further investments — expansion, diversification or modernisation — are eligible too, and can claim again after a first claim up to the ceiling limit. Separate undertakings owned by the same person or group are treated as individual entities if they are located at different places and hold separate registrations.

No. The scheme runs on a rolling basis, so claims can be filed at any time through the prescribed form rather than against a fixed closing date.

The unit must have achieved a minimum of 10% saving in energy or water consumption. This is calculated against the average monthly consumption of the 12 months immediately before the audit.

The study has to be carried out by a recognised institution or consultant. Only fees paid to such a recognised body or professional are considered for reimbursement.

Yes. At least 60% of the employment in the unit must be provided to residents of Puducherry, and that level has to be maintained for the period the scheme specifies.

Neither. This is a subsidy, not an investment — the department does not take any stake in your unit and the amount does not have to be returned. The main continuing obligation is the five-year restriction on transferring or disposing of fixed assets.

No. The industrial unit cannot transfer or dispose of its fixed assets, including plant and machinery, for five years from the date the application is submitted or the subsidy is disbursed, whichever is later.

If the unit is bank-financed, the amount can be disbursed through the financial institution or bank, either adjusted against its loans or used for creating additional fixed assets or working capital. Self-financed units get the subsidy directly.

Register the claim on the prescribed form, which is available on the official website of the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Puducherry. Complete every mandatory field, attach self-attested copies of the documents the form calls for, sign it and submit the set to the concerned authority. Ask for a receipt or acknowledgement that shows the submission date and time, and a unique identification number if one is issued.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Assistance for Energy and Water Conservation — ₹25,000 Audit Subsidy, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.

Assistance for Energy and Water Conservation — ₹25,000 Audit Subsidy is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Assistance for Energy and Water Conservation — ₹25,000 Audit Subsidy is offered by Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Puducherry, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.