Union Minister of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kalraj Mishra on February 26 called upon the eight states of the North East Region to take proactive steps in bringing forth larger number of proposals under the various schemes of his ministry.
Inaugurating the ‘Regional Conclave of MSMEs’ with North East states in focus at Rohododendron Hall, Police Complex, Chumukedima, Dimapur, Mishra, who is on his maiden visit to Nagaland said it is the endeavor of the ministry to focus on the special needs of the NE states with respect to entrepreneurship and industrialization.
The main purpose of the regional conclave, a first for Nagaland, organized directly under the personal initiative of the union minister, was to get first hand feedback about the schemes done by ministry, to evaluate the performance of the ongoing schemes and problems jointly with the state counterparts and associations of the region.
“I reassure the eight NE states that the Union Government, especially the ministry of MSME would process your proposals expeditiously and render all possible assistance in their implementation, the union minister stated.
Pointing out that the primary responsibility of promotion and development of MSMEs is of the state governments, Mishra urged all the respective government to ensure proper functioning of MSE Facilitation Councils to address and resolve the concerns of MSME units on delayed payments.
He said MSME sector has been playing an important role in socio-economic development of the country contributing around 38% of GDP, 44% of total exports and around 45% of manufacturing output.
Laying emphasis on the need to create and spread awareness about the various MSME schemes, Mishra said NE has great potential and called upon all state and ministry officials to join hands to find fields of intervention to create a masterpiece NE addition of the grand ‘Make in India’ drive.
At the same time, he urged all his officers to help North East states in discovering their inherent potential and setting up of enterprises n the field of their natural advantage. “And without development of NE region, India cannot be a developed country,” the union minister asserted.
Mishra also highlighted the different schemes under the MSME ministry such as the PMEGP for assisting young entrepreneurs to set up new micro enterprises in manufacturing as well as services sector, the newly launched ASPIRE to set up network of technology and incubation centres to accelerate entrepreneurship and start-ups for innovation, SFURTI scheme to organize the traditional industries and artisans to make them competitive and provide support for their long term sustainability and economy of sale etc.
Mishra also expressed happiness in learning that as many as 600 students have passed out from the Nagaland Tool Room & Training Centre (NTTC) and found successful placement and many of them have started their own smart enterprises.
The union minster said he would visit the centre on Saturday along with senior officers to find ways as to how it can become more efficient and productive in imparting job oriented training to youth in the area. The MSME union minister also assured to provide Rs 6 crore for the completion of Khadi Plaza in Nagaland.
The union minister also launched a magazine called ‘’ on the occasion. Legislators and government officials from the eight states of NE attended the conclave.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said a more concerted effort in terms of formulating North East Region specific schemes and programs in the MSME sector, or modification of existing schemes to the specific requirements of the region would yield better results.
Addressing the conclave, Zeliang in his address pointed out that the NE states have not been able to seize the benefits of the MSME sector with development of the region far behind the rest of the country.
He however said tremendous potential exist, which are waiting to be exploited. Highlighting that the region has vital geo-political location, with 92% of its borders behind international boundaries, has vast untapped natural resources, and a rich social capital, Zeliang said India should pay special attention for the development of the region.
He also observed that the geographic and strategic importance of the region has increased in the context of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and in the context of emerging global market economy.
“The North East Region has potentials, which if explored in right earnest, could transform the region into a hub of MSME, as we as start-up ventures,” Zeliang maintained.
Agriculture; biodiversity, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal herbs and plants, sericulture, bamboo harvesting, IT are some of the potentials and strength of the region, the chief minister highlighted. “All these have the capability to spawn a new generation of entrepreneurs and enterprises in the region, he added.
According to the chief minister, multiple factors such as lack of basic infrastructure, both physical and financial, required for the industry to take off, are the main constraining factors which need to be addressed in a more holistic manner.
Stating that the Naga business community is in dire need of Government’s intervention and strong will to promote the new generation business community, Business Association of Nagas (BAN) in a memorandum addressed to Union Minister MSME called his attention on a number of proposals.
It has sought for setting up of a Manufacturing Park; Revival of North East Industrial Policy, Up-gradation MSME Office to MSME Directorate in Nagaland, North-East Cell under MSME, Setting up of Food Testing Laboratory in Nagaland.
It reminded the union minister that his kind and prompt redressal of their request will be a mile stone in ushering in a “New Economic Era of Nagaland.”
Source: Morung Express
