The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is the ministry in the Government of India. It is the apex executive body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium enterprises in India.
The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector is a major contributor to the socio-economic development of the country. In India, the sector has gained significant importance due to its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country and exports. The sector has also contributed immensely with respect to entrepreneurship development especially in semi-urban and rural areas of India.
According to the provisions of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are classified in two classes i.e., Manufacturing Enterprises and Service Enterprises.The enterprises are further categorized based on investment in equipment and annual turnover.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
The Government of India has designed various policies for the growth of MSMEs in the country.
- As on July 8, 2022 the number of loans sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) scheme was 10.03 million and the amount disbursed was Rs. 73,199.89 crore (US$ 9.15 billion).
- In the Union Budget of 2022-23 MSMEs sector was allocated an Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) of Rs. 50,000 crore (US$ 6.55 billion).
- On March 30 2022, the Indian government allocated Rs. 6,062.45 crore (US$ 808 million) for the scheme Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP). The programme aims to improve market and credit access, strengthen institutions and governance at the centre and state levels, improve centre-state connections and partnerships, resolve late payment difficulties, and green MSMEs.
- In November 2021, the Indian government launched the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) for the services sector. This scheme will help enterprises in the services sector meet various technology requirements.
- In November 2021, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises launched SAMBHAV, a national-level awareness programme to push economic growth by promoting entrepreneurship and domestic manufacturing.
Major Recent Developments in the MSMEs include:
- In June 2022, the central government announced a new initiative called “Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region and Sikkim.” The main purpose of this project was to stimulate MSMEs in the North East by establishing mini-technological centres, developing new and existing industrial estates, and promoting tourism.
- In November 2021, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) inked a pact with Google to pilot social impact lending with financial assistance up to Rs. 1 crore (US$ 133,939.60) at subsidised interest rates to micro enterprises. To reinvigorate the Indian MSME sector, Google India Pvt. Ltd. GIPL, will bring a corpus of US$ 15 million (~Rs. 110 crore) for micro enterprises as a crisis response related to COVID-19.
- In November 2021, digital freight forwarder Freightwalla, launched a shipment tracking service for MSME exporters and importers based on predictive analytics to help businesses tackle risks associated with shipment delays and improve supply chain efficiency.
- In November 2021, Cashinvoice, a supply chain financing (SCF) platform, announced that it will aid MSMEs with over Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.33 billion) worth of financing in the year ahead, as it has raised Pre-Series A funding of US$ 1 million from Accion Venture Lab.
Conclusion-
The Government of India has envisioned doubling the Indian economy to US$ 5 trillion in five years. In order to achieve this goal, career opportunities for the young population have been generated and MSMEs have the potential to serve as a key employment generator. Therefore, the government has taken up promotion of MSMEs in order to create new jobs in the sector. Further, the government aims to enhance MSME’s share in exports and its contribution to GDP.