GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
SURAT, JAN 26
Despite Gujarat having the highest number of Micro Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, the state government has not received any proposal from MSME entrepreneurs for upgradation of projects in the last decade here, a top official of the state government said.
Ranjeeth Kumar, Commissioner of MSMEs Department, Gujarat was speaking at an interactive session on the MSME industry organized by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) here on Friday.
Ranjeeth Kumar said, “Gujarat has the highest number of MSMEs compared to Tamil Nadu. However, the MSME department has not received a single proposal from existing MSMEs in Gujarat for upgradation of projects.”
He also asserted that the state government is prepared to resolve the issues faced by the MSME sector but due to lack of proper knowledge, the entrepreneurs remain far away from various MSME schemes to take maximum benefits.
Commenting on the existing schemes in the MSME sector, Ranjeeth Kumar stated that the MSME facilitation council protects the rights of MSMEs.
”MSME unit owners can directly file a complaint in the facilitation centre for disputes regarding non-payment by buyers and get justice within 45 days,” he added.
Elaborating on the various schemes for the MSMEs, the Commissioner said there is a credit guarantee trust fund where budding entrepreneurs not having a property for a mortgage can avail bank loan facility from the state government. Under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Yojana, the state government provides 55 per cent subsidy on the construction of an industrial shed on a minimum of two hectares of land.
MK Ladani, general manager of district industries centre (DIC), in his address said, “DIC has forwarded a proposal to the state government to release Rs700 crore worth of fund under various MSME schemes for Surat district till March 2020. This would further give a boost to the MSME sector in the district.”
SGCCI president Ketan Desai said that South Gujarat has emerged as an MSME hub.
”There are many MSME units in engineering, chemical, textile, textile ancillary, and diamond sectors,” he added.
