Bhubaneswar: The International MSME Day was celebrated today jointly by Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Govt. of India and Department of MSME, Govt. of Odisha. Minister MSME, WCD & Mission Shakti, SSEPD Prafulla Samal inaugurated the said function. L.N. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department presided over the said meeting.
In his inaugural address, Minister Samal emphasised the importance of MSME sector in the economic development of the State. He stated that though Odisha is an agricultural State with around 65 per cent of population depending on Agriculture, the Micro and Small Industries are gaining importance day by day due to their employment potential. It is the sector which not only creates employment but also helps in increasing the GDP of the State and holistic Industrial development. He urged upon the General Managers DICs to facilitate establishment of MSMEs in each and every corner of the State.
He added that around 5 lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs) of Women are functioning in the State. However, the capital investment in these SHGs is very low, which results in low production and low income. Avenues may be thought to bring these SHGs into the MSME fold. This will help not only in improving their income, but will also leads to Women empowerment.
Additional Chief Secretary, MSME, Gupta in his presidential address explained the importance of the international MSME day and the role of MSMEs in the economic development. He stated that globally 95 per cent of the industrial units are MSME. In Odisha, 99 per cent of the industrial units are MSME units and therefore, they contribute hugely in terms of employment, GSDP and Exports. He called upon GM, DICs and others present to work with a mission of making MSME sector vibrant by leveraging 3TS i.e. Team Work, Transparency and Technology. New policies in the MSME sector have been formulated by the Government. And the officials working in the MSME sector, should work hard to enable the people to take advantage of these policies of the Government.
On this occasion, performance under PMEGP, one of the flagship programme was reviewed. Utkal Keshari, State Director, KVIC, Bhubaneswar informed that against the target of Rs. 7779.30 lakhs Margin Money, and Rs. 8298.87 lakhs Margin Money has been utilised during 2016- 17, which is 107 per cent achievement. During the review, Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary requested all the stake holders to increase the number of projects funding under PMEGP. He also informed that while majority of the Banks have exceeded their target, some of the Banks with larger network have performed below par. He urged all the Banks to take urgent necessary steps to achieve the first half yearly target fixed for September, 2017.
N.Sahoo, Director of Industries made a presentation on Cluster development in Odisha and Samarendra Sahu, CEO, IED, Odisha made a presentation on the Start-up Odisha and Youth Innovation Fund. Intervening in the issue, the Additional Chief Secretary Gupta advised
Director of Industries to Sponsor clusters under SFURTI and MSE-CDP schemes of GOI. B.B. Behera, Additional Secretary, MMSE Department also spoke on the occasion and emphasised on funding of youth under Youth Innovation Fund.
Source: orissadiary
