The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India organized “MSME Conclave and PM Vishwakarma Workshop” on Wednesday at Aryabhatta Auditorium, Ranchi University, Ranchi (Jharkhand) under the chairmanship of Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister, Ministry of MSME, Government of India.

The aim of this conclave was to increase awareness about the schemes of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, to catalyze their growth and competitiveness and to honour Vishwakarmas in the new India.

The conclave was attended by Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and Satyanand Bhokta, Minister, Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand, as special guests.

The conclave was attended by Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, Jitendra Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand, Mercy Apao, Joint Secretary, R.K. Rai, Additional Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, Government of India etc. were present.

Mercy Apao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, in her welcome address, explained the objectives and outline of the program in detail.

Jitendra Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand, explained in detail about the schemes being run by the Government of Jharkhand for the development of MSME entrepreneurs and motivated the participants attending this conclave to get information about the schemes of the Government of India and take advantage of them.

Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, informed about the changing scenario of MSME and the initiatives of the Ministry to provide assistance to MSMEs to address challenges such as market, credit, technology, green and sustainability of MSMEs. He told about the achievements of establishment of Technology Center in Bokaro, launch of Z 2.0, launch of Idea Hackathon 4.0 and registration of more than 5 crore MSME entrepreneurs on Udyam Portal and PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

Special Guest Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State, MSME Ministry, Government of India told that the MSME sector contributes about 30 percent of the country's GDP, about 45 percent in the manufacturing sector and about 40 percent in the export sector. Therefore, due to its huge contribution in socio-economic development, it would not be an exaggeration to call it the backbone of the country. He explained in detail about PM Vishwakarma Yojana, Mahila Choir Yojana, Yashaswini Yojana, Ramp Yojana, PMS Yojana, PMEGP Yojana etc. of Government of India.

Chief Guest Jitan Ram Manjhi, in his address said that the registered number of micro, small and medium enterprises in Jharkhand has reached about 10 lakhs, in which 38 lakh people are getting employment. 20 technology centers are being established across the country, out of which the foundation stone of one has been laid in virtual mode today for establishment in Bokaro district of Jharkhand state, whose estimated cost is Rs 200 crore. This technology center will provide technical assistance to the MSME units of the state as well as work for skill development of the youth so that their employment potential can be increased. Also, out of the 100 extension centers being established across the country, 2 extension centers have been approved to be established in ISM, Dhanbad and Jharkhand Technical University, Ranchi of Jharkhand state by the MSME Ministry. These extension centres will provide technical support as per the requirement of MSME units and run skill development programmes. He expressed happiness that the target was to connect 30 lakh Vishwakarmas with this scheme in 5 years, whereas in just a short span of one year, 2.45 crore people have been connected with this scheme.

Out of which 19.72 lakh people have been registered after third level verification. Yashaswini Abhiyan is an initiative to provide holistic support to women entrepreneurs to make them empowered entrepreneur creators. The government is also emphasizing on compliance with the public procurement policy with the aim of increasing the participation of SC/ST and women entrepreneurs in public procurement.

On this occasion, the Union Minister laid the foundation stone of Technology Centre, Z 2.0, Idea Hackathon 4.0 in Bokaro in virtual mode.