A total of 12,580 MSME units have been set up by women entrepreneurs in the State between 1990-91 and 2014-15.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister Jogendra Behera informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJD MlA Dr Raseshwari Panigrhai on Thursday. While a total amount of Rs 665.67 crore have been invested for setting up the MSME units, a whopping number of 67,769 employments have been generated, he said.
The Minister said the highest 2,943 units were established in 2014-15 at a total investment of Rs 144.98 crore while 11,057 employments have been generated. In 1990-91, only 130 units had been established at a total amount of Rs 2.90 crore and 906 jobs created.
To encourage unemployed boys and girls to set up MSME units, the State Government has been providing training under EDP and ESDP schemes and facilitating them to avail bank loans. Besides, job fairs are being conducted on behalf of the Government.
Women entrepreneurs are being provided incentive up to Rs 10 lakh subsidy under MSMED Policy-2009 and up to Rs 3 crore under the Odisha Food Processing Policy-2013. Similarly, facilities like land and concessional rate, exemption on premium on conversion of agriculture land for industrial use, internet subsidy, stamp duty exemption, Vat and entry tax reimbursements are available under the IPR-2015.
There is 30 per cent reservation for women under the PMEGP, the Minister said.