As Woman Entrepreneurship Park envisaged by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat is being set up by Uttarakhand Government in Sitarganj phase-2 in Udham Singh Nagar District on 10 acres land to attract the women entrepreneurs in the State, the State Government has vowed to provide all kinds of assistance to the women entrepreneurs for the development of medium and small industries. Women will be provided employment opportunities in the industrial complex, assured the CM, saying that there are immense potentials hidden in Eco-tourism and adventure tourism sectors in Uttarakhand. He gave the assurance while addressing a conference organised at Federation House of FICCI Woman Organization in New Delhi on Friday. A discussion was held on “Uttarakhand- New Possibilities for Woman Entrepreneurs” with the CM being the principal speaker.
“MSMEs play significant part in the economy of the country. They are keys to create extensive employment opportunities and inclusive growth in any country or a state. Huge industries cannot play pivotal role in the state’s economy on account of difficult geographical conditions, limited land availability, high cost of transportation and travelling. Considering the available local resources, traditional knowledge, skill utilisation and development of entrepreneurship of the State, micro and small industries play the most important role,” CM said.
He further said that Uttarakhand has started implementing the micro, small and medium enterprise policy since January 2015. “Under the policy, the stress has been on maximum employment creation and a globally competitive environment. land with complete infrastructural facilities on appropriate rates along with attractive financial perks has been provided under MSME policy of the State. In the first phase, out of total industrial units in the State, infrastructure is being developed on 10 industrial units. So far, an investment of `350 crore has been proposed by 284 units after the implementation of MSME policy,” CM said.
He further said that Uttarakhand has promulgated Single Window Act 2012 on March 5 2016 to dispose various approvals and NOCs of investment and businessmen within a time- bound period. A system for online application and monitoring has been developed through Single Window Act investuttarakhand.com under which monitoring of `10 crore has been decentralised and is being done by the district magistrates. Investment proposals worth over `10 crore are being monitored by the chief secretary. So far, various approvals and permissions on 200 proposals have been issued,” he said.
“I immensely pleased to inform you that now we are first in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ category. Every necessary reform is being done to maintain this status. Uttarakhand is a peaceful State. law and order situation is better comparing to other states here. We are considering making a law to supply 24 hours electricity supply to the industrialists. Woman Entrepreneurship Park is being established on 200 acres land in SIDCUl in Udham Singh Nagar. Scheme has been started to grant five percent bonus to theWoman Self Help Groups on their annual turnover and stand up capital grant up to `20, 000 to 25, 000 to start new commercial activity” CM added
Woman Encouragement Scheme has been implemented separately to honour mothers and ensure their effective presence in MSME sector, Rawat said, adding that under the scheme, decision has been taken to provide financial benefit to the service sector activities along with manufacturing industries. Capital investment of around `45 Crores has been proposed by 55 women entrepreneurs under the scheme, he said. State Government has set target to prepare 2000 women entrepreneurs within three years, CM said.
Uttarakhand has prosperous tradition of handloom and handicrafts, Rawat said, adding that Munshi Hariparsad Tamta Craft Institute is being set up in Almora to conserve and upgrade the traditional crafts.
“Besides, Nanda Devi Society has been established to develop handloom and natural fibres. State Government has also implemented policy to purchase natural fibres. Purchasing preference policy has been implemented to purchase materials for the government departments and undertakings from micro and small enterprises. Distribution is most important for the success of MSME. Online portal himani.org has been developed for women entrepreneurs which provides distribution facilities along with experiences and guidance to users,” CM said while vowing they would leave no stone unturned to see things come to full fruition in due course.