The State’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) minister Harish Chandra Durgapal has categorically directed MSME department to ensure wider publicity for the CM’s self-employment scheme, women entrepreneurs special promotion and MSME policy-2015 from January 2016 at district industry centre (DIC) and the block level as well. These instructions were issued to all the general managers at a review meeting of MSME department held in Dehradun. The minister said that officials concerned should have deliberation with bank representatives and other departments concerned to publicise these policies as much as possible so that residents of mountainous areas are able to secure employment at the local level. He said that under MSME policy-2015 the State is providing maximum financial promotion capital in mountainous districts is `40 lakh or 40 per cent of the total cost with interest at 10 per cent or maximum `8 lakh, 100 per cent on VAT and free electricity in manufacturing sector.
Similarly in the sphere of women entrepreneurship, capital investment amounting upto `25 lakh and interest at up to `5 lakh is being provided by the state. Carpenters, tailors, barbers and people in other trades can start their own undertaking with assistance under the chief minister’s self employment schemes. In the manufacturing enterprises the State will provide financial support amounting to maximum `5 lakh and `3 lakh maximum for service and trading activities. Pointing out that the State Government had set the district-wise target, the minister directed the general managers of district industry centres to achieve the designated target by February 15, 2016.
The director of Industry, Dr R Rajesh Kumar disclosed that in the mountain districts about 10 industrial estate infrastructure development works are being undertaken. Of these, five are being developed by the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand limited (SIIDCUl) whereas the other five are in the process of being developed by the department of MSME. The SIIDCUl is developing the industrial estate infrastructure in Purola, Munsyari, Saroth, Betalghat and Bhikiyasain while the MSME department is developing the saqme at Dunda, Gwana, Bhimtaal, Kaleshwar and Dwarhaat. For the promotion of handicraft and welfare of artisans and micro industries, markets are being provided to them under the RIDF scheme of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Gramin Haat (rural markets) are being set up in Bhimtal, Dehradun, Kashipur and Pithoragarh.
Additional director, Industry, Sudhir Chandra Nautiyal said that Union government’s integrated handicraft development schemes are being executed in 15 blocks of the state. Under such schemes, Ringal (hill bamboo) natural fibres, pottery, Aipan (traditional Kumaoni rangoli), woven mats, wood work and brass work are being developed so as to ensure that the product reaches market and fetches desirable price.
The State is taking the help of National Institute of Design (NID) and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) with a survey of the market currently being in progress. These products will be sold through the Himadri service with the products now also being made available on e-commerce site Snapdeal.