Tuesday, 14 January 2014

DAMODAR COMITTEE ON BUSINESS REGULATORY REFORM

Executive Summary and Recommendations
Executive Summary

The proximate cause of the establishment of the Committee was the Word Bank’s Doing Business Report which ranked India amongst the countries ranked at the bottom of various sub-indices.

Recommendations
The Section presents the recommendations made by the Committee. The Recommendations are classified in
various headings, namely, (a) legal reforms (b) regulatory architecture (c) boosting efficacy of regulatory process (d) enabling MSMEs, and (e) addressing state level issues.

Legal Reforms

1) Review of laws and regulations:
It is recommended that the Government of India as also the State Governments examine the content of all laws and rules which impact on the ease of doing business, and cause appropriate changes therein to reflect the requirements of modern day trade and commerce.

2) Encouraging arbitration to resolve contractual disputes:
 It is important that the judicial authorities are appreciative of the need for quick resolution of disputes that are brought up before them. Therefore, it is recommended that there should be a mechanism to dis-incentivise use of civil courts for resolving contractual disputes, so as to encourage arbitration as a preferred manner of resolution. Further, it is also recommended that appropriate measure may be taken up to create a large pool of persons trained in the process of arbitration who could be approached by contending parties to take up their matter.

Regulatory Architecture

3) Carving out clear mandate for a new regulatory authority:
Before setting up a new regulatory organisation, adequate thought should go into the need for such an organisation, the
ability to man that organisation appropriately and to invest it with functional autonomy. Setting up a new regulatory organisation should not be a kneejerk response to a specific situation or context, but a well thought-out disengagement plan of the Ministry or Department concerned to move away from writing out and implementing regulations.

4) Appointments in and supervision of regulatory authorities:
 The appointment of persons to head regulatory organisations should be attempted in a far more transparent manner. It
is recommended that there should be a transparent system in which the Head of the regulatory organisation and his Board level colleagues appear before an appropriate Parliamentary Committee once in six months to report on the developments of the previous six months and the broad plan of action for the next six months.

5) Autonomy of regulatory authorities: Genuine functional autonomy would also have to be reinforced with financial autonomy by putting in place a system where regulatory organisations are not dependent on government departments for financial support by way of handouts.

6) Self evaluation by regulatory organizations:
The Committee recommends that each regulatory organization should undertake a self-evaluation of itself once in three years, and put-out the conclusions in the public domain for informed discussion and debate.


Boosting Efficacy of Regulatory Process


7) Ensuring effective consultation through a two-stage process:
It is recommended that each government organisation/ department which has the responsibility of writing regulations should undertake a two-stage process of consultation, wherein a revised draft is put up for consultation after the first round of stakeholder consultation. This would ensure that the avoidable situations of misinterpretation of the regulations do not exist.

8) Allocating priority to systemic issues:
To boost the effectiveness of regulatory apparatus, it is recommended that enforcement bandwidth of a regulatory body need to be optimally used to deal with cases of systemic importance on a priority basis.

9) Putting in place consent mechanism for matters of low significance:
 It is recommended that regulatory authority may put in place a settlement or consent mechanism, with adequate safeguards, where cases which have no systemic impact are dealt in a summary manner. This would help in dealing with large volume of matters of systemically unimportant matters.


10) Drafting regulation:
It is necessary to ensure that simplicity and clarity should inform the content of regulation, leaving no part of it open to
different interpretations by different persons.
11) System of advance ruling:
It has been noticed that in a number of cases different authorities have written different, often conflicting, rules and Regulations governing identical activities, thus creating avoidable confusion in the regulated space. Therefore, it is recommended that every organisation tasked with the writing of regulations should have a provision for an advance authority for rulings.

12) Setting up regulatory review authority:
It is necessary to address the existing body of regulations (the stock) in terms of contemporary relevance, clarity and continuity. This task is best accomplished by creating a Regulation Review Authority in each organisation that is empowered to write rules and regulations. Every organisation, which writes regulations or other forms of supporting legislation, should have a Regulation Review Authority to continuously examine the stock of existing regulations and to weed out those that do not have any continuing use. The Regulation Review Authority should be within the organisation that writes regulations in order to have a better sense of understanding the context.

13) Reviewing the proposed regulations:
The internal Regulation Review Authority can also be given the task of reviewing draft regulations that are in the pipeline in order to ensure that unnecessary regulations are not given effect to. Every regulatory authority, ministry or  department of the Central or State Government involved in the writing of regulations should have within it a Regulation Review Authority also tasked with the preview of intended regulations. Such a body is best equipped to undertake the regulatory impact assessment, which should be a condition precedent to the writing of regulations.

14) Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA): A
regulatory impact assessment of every proposed regulation should precede the public consultation process.

Enabling MSMEs

15) Setting up a overarching body to enable policy and process coordination for MSMEs:
To address the problem of lack of coordination in terms of policy formulation and statutory enforcements among various Central and State Governments, an overarching body can be set up at the highest level to identify and address key issues impeding business facilitation and to interface with relevant Ministries and Departments in order to address identified key impediments in a time-bound manner.

16) Single window mechanism:
It is necessary to have single window channels of compliance to help small business entities and also a hassle free tax payment regime. As regards the new entrants to the business environment, there should be facilitation centres to help deal with the complexities of filling cumbersome forms and dealing with other procedural issues.

17) Time bound decision making:
 The granting of permissions or the decision not to grant permissions should be taken within a prescribed time period failing which there should be a provision for deemed permission. It is necessary that for every approval to be accorded there should be an outside time limit, with stipulation that if an approval is not accorded or a final decision of rejection is not communicated during that time period, there will be a presumption of approval.

Addressing State Level Issues

18) Information facilitation through nodal point:
It is recommended that each State Government appoints a nodal person and a nodal office, which can be the single point contact for persons intending to obtain information on the procedural and substantive conditions to be fulfilled for setting up a business.

19) Incentivising regulatory reforms amongst states:
With an urgent need being felt to accelerate the process of simplification of regulations and consequently expediting the necessary approvals, the Committee recommends that State Governments that make significant progress in this matter should be appropriately incentivised.

20) Building in appellate process by design:

There should be built into the system an appellate process where a person aggrieved by an order of rejection may, as a matter of right, approach a superior authority for reconsideration of the matter on merits.




Factsheet of MSME

·         Micro Enterprises:
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery upto Rs 25 Lakhs (Manufacturing sector)
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery upto Rs 10 Lakhs (Service Sector)
·         Small Enterprises:
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery Rs 25 lakhs to Rs 5 crore(Manufacturing sector)
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 2 crore  (Service sector)
·         Medium Enterprises: 
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore (Manufacturing sector)
o   Investment in Plant and Machinery Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore       (Service sector)

·         MSME sector contributes around 9% of GDP.
·         MSME sector accounts for around 30% of the total exports and around 45% of the manufacturing output.
ü  As per the Fourth All India Census of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Total number of Enterprises of the MSME: 361.76 Lakh
ü  Total Employment in MSME: 805.24 Lakh
ü  Total output of the MSME: 1077212.86 crore*
ü  Total investment in the Plant and Machinery: 199664.21 crore*
(*Excludes activities under wholesale/retail trade, legal, educational & social services, hotel & restaurants, transports and storage & warehousing(except cold storage)
Number of MSME
·         As per the Fourth All India Census of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,2006-07

Total Number of MSMEs:                                       361.76 Lakh
Number of the Registered Enterprises:               15.64 Lakh
Number of the Unregistered Enterprises:                        346.12 Lakh
Ø  As per the Fourth All India Census of the Registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,2006-07

Number of Micro Enterprises:                                14.85 Lakh (94.94%)
Number of Small Enterprises:                               0.77 Lakh (4.89%)
Number of Medium Enterprises:                           0.03 Lakh (0.17%)
Employment in MSME
Ø  As per the Fourth All India Census of the Registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,2006-07

Total Employment of MSMEs:                                           805.24 Lakh
Employment in Registered Enterprises:                          93.09 Lakh
Employment in Unregistered Enterprises:                      712.15 Lakh
Ø  As per the Fourth All India Census of the Registered Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,2006-07

Employment in Micro Enterprises:                        65.34 Lakh (70.19%)
Employment in Small Enterprises:                       23.43 Lakh (25.17%)
Employment in Medium Enterprises:                   4.32 Lakh (4.64%)
Details of Employment in the Micro, Small and Medium Sector of the Unregistered Sector are not available.



Important Schemes Implemented By M/O MSME

CREDIT GUARANTEE SCHEME

Ø  Launched on 30 August  2000
Ø  Operated by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust  for  MSEs  (CGTMSE)
Ø  Provides guarantees to Member Lending Institutions  for loan sanctioned without collateral
Ø  Maximum up to 85% of  sanctioned loan guaranteed
Ø  Collateral free loan up to Rs.100 lakhs per borrowing unit covered under the Scheme.
Ø  Corpus size: Rs. 2295.30 crore
Ø  A composite all-in Annual Guarantee Fee of 1% per annum of the credit facility sanctioned (0.75% for credit facility up to Rs.5 lakh and 0.85% for above Rs.5 lakh and up to Rs.100 lakh for Women, Micro Enterprises and Units in NER including Sikkim)
Ø  During 2013-14, Rs.74.99 cr. have been released under this scheme.  Cumulatively, Rs.13.79 lakh proposals have been approved for guarantee cover for a sanctioned loan amount of Rs.74.99 crore.

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS)

Ø  Launched in October 2000 to facilitate technology upgradation of MSEs
Ø   SIDBI  and NABARD act as the Nodal Agencies and operate through Primary Lending Institutions.
Ø  Additional Nodal Banks/Agencies - SBI, Canara Bank, BOB, PNB, BOI, Andhra bank, SBBJ & TIICL operate directly.
Ø  Provide 15% capital subsidy on eligible institutional loan up to  Rs.100 lakh.
Ø  Coverage : 51 Products/Sub-sectors.
Ø  Since inception of the scheme 26452 units benefited under CLCSS and     Rs.1490 cr. subsidy disbursed.
Ø  BE (2013-14) – Rs.387.75 crore
Ø Expenditure as on date – Rs.387.22
Performance and Credit Rating Scheme

Ø  The rating under the scheme serves as a trusted Third Party Opinion on the capability and credit worthiness of Micro and Small Enterprises.
Ø  Under this scheme, rating fee payable by Micro and Small Enterprises is subsidised for the first year upto 75% of the fee
Ø  Since inception of the scheme, more than 82,000 units has been rated under the scheme.
Ø  BE under the scheme for 2013-14 : Rs.74.99 crore.    
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.74.99 crore.
.
MSE Cluster Development Programme

Ø  Diagnostic Study Reports (DSRs):  To map the business processes in the cluster and propose remedial measures, with a validated action plan. 
GoI grant of maximum Rs. 2.50 lakh will be provided for preparation of DSR for one cluster. For the field organizations of the Ministry of MSME, this financial support will be Rs.1.00 lakh.

Ø  Soft Interventions (SIs): Technical assistance, capacity building, exposure building, exposure visits, market development, trust building, etc. for the cluster units.
Maximum limit for project cost would be Rs.25.00 lakh per cluster.  GoI grant for the soft interventions will be 75% of the sanctioned amount of the project cost.  For NE & Hill States, Clusters with more than 50% (a) micro/village (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units, the GoI grant will be 90%.

Ø  Hard Intervention/Common Facility Centres (CFCs):   Creation of tangible “assets” like Testing facility, Design Centre, Effluent Treatment Plant, Training Centre, R&D Centre, Raw material Bank/Sales Depot, product Display Centre, Information Centre, any other need based facility.
The GoI grant will be restricted to 70% of the cost of project of maximum Rs.15.00 crore. GoI grant will be 90% for CFCs in NE & Hill States, Clusters with more than 50% (a) micro/village (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units.



Ø  Infrastructure Development (ID) :Development of land, provision of water supply, drainage power distribution, non-conventional sources of Energy for common captive use, construction of roads, common facilities such as First Aid Centre, Canteen, other need based infrastructural facilities in new industrial (multi-product) areas/estates or existing industrial areas/estates/clusters.
The GoI grant will be restricted to 60% of the cost of project of Rs.10.00 crore.  GoI grant will be 80% for projects in NE & Hill States, industrial areas/estates with more than 50% (a) micro/village (b) women owned (c) SC/ST units.
Ø  BE under the scheme for 2013-14 : Rs.53 crore.          
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.21.90 crore.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
                                                                                                      
¨      A credit linked subsidy scheme of the Ministry, implemented through KVIC, DICs and State KVI Boards with KVIC as the Nodal Agency at the national level.
¨      Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible.
¨      With an attractive quantum of subsidy (up to a maximum of 35% of project cost for special category in rural areas, including weaker sections), the scheme has become very popular.
¨      The maximum cost of the project is Rs. 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs. 10 lakh in the service sector.
¨      Margin Money Subsidy of 25% of the project cost is given in rural areas and 15% in urban area for general category people.
¨      Lower beneficiary’s contribution of 5% for special category including weaker section of society and women, as against 10% for general category.
¨      Since inception a subsidy of Rs.5166.71 crore has been released by the Ministry.
¨      2,35,826 projects have been financed under the scheme generating an employment of 21.39 lakh.
¨      For 2014-15, Rs.1418 cr. have been provided for the scheme.
Marketing Development Assistance Scheme
(A).BAR code
Ø  The basic objective of granting financial assistance to the MSEs is to enhance their competitiveness by motivating and encouraging them to use Global Standards in Bar Coding. The objective is to be achieved through use of Bar-coding by maximum number of MSEs and getting benefits like inventory control, wide acceptability of products in the domestic and world markets, higher efficiencies, lower costs, better quality assurance and greater acceptance of their products by local as well as international buyers. 

Ø  To promote adoption of Bar Code by MSEs, 75% of annual recurring fee to MSEs for first three years w.e.f. 01.06.2007 is reimbursed  as subsidy. This is in addition to reimbursement of 75% of the one time registration fee for Bar Coding w.e.f. 1st January,2002. Motivating and encouraging MSEs for use of bar codes through conducting seminars on Bar Code, etc.
 (B) International Trade fair/ exhibitions
Ø  To encourage Small & Micro exporters in their efforts at tapping and developing overseas markets.
Ø  Reimbursement of 75% of air fare by economy class and 50% space rental charges for Micro & Small manufacturing enterprises of General category entrepreneurs.
Ø  For women/SC/ST/NER Entrepreneurs, Govt. of India will reimburse 100% of space rent and economy class air fare.
Ø  The total subsidy on air fare & space rental charges will be restricted to Rs.1.25 lakh per unit.
Ø  During 2013-14, Rs.6 cr. have been provided for Bar Code and participation in International schemes.
Ø  Till date 131 units are benefitted.
National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP)
Ø  The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) is the nodal programme of the Government to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs.
Ø  The Programme was initiated in 2007-08.
Ø   There are ten components under the NMCP targeted at enhancing the entire value chain of the MSME sector as given below:
Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme for MSMEs
Ø  Under the Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme, MSMEs are being assisted in reducing their manufacturing costs, through proper personnel management, better space utilization, scientific inventory management, improved process flows, reduced engineering time and so on.
Ø  The scheme is initially approved for 100 mini clusters, up-scaled and approved for 500 mini clusters after successful implementation of Pilot Phase.
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14: Rs 15 crore.  
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.0.82 crore
Promotion of Information & Communication Tools (ICT) in MSME sector
Ø  The main objective of the scheme is to encourage and assist potential MSME clusters to adopt ICT tools and applications in their production & business processes, with a view to improve their productivity and competitiveness in national and international markets.
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14 : Rs. 18 crore.
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.0.07 crore
Technology and Quality Upgradation (TEQUP)Support to MSMEs
Ø  The objective of this component of NMCP is to sensitize MSMEs about the benefits that could accrue from usage of energy efficient technologies, reduction in emissions of Green House Gases, improve the acceptance of their products by product quality certification, thereby making them globally competitive.
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14 : Rs. 20.50 crore
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.1.05 crore
Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators
Ø  This component aims at nurturing innovative business ideas (new/ ingenious technology, process, products, procedures, etc.) which could be commercialized in a year.
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14 : Rs10.50 crore.
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.1.55 crore
Design Clinics scheme for MSMEs
Ø  The activities under the scheme are; organizing seminars, workshops in MSME clusters including design projects of MSME units.
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14 : Rs.14 crore.
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.5.00 crore
Enabling Manufacturing Sector to be Competitive through Quality Management Standards (QMS) and Quality Technology Tools (QTT)
Ø  The scheme, “Enabling Manufacturing Sector be Competitive through Quality Management Standards (QMS) and Quality Technology Tools (QTT)” is aimed to improve the quality of the products in the MSME sector and inculcate the quality consciousness in enterprises in this sector.
Ø  The major activities are (i) Introduction of Appropriate Modules for Technical Institutions; (ii) Organizing Awareness Campaigns for MSEs; (iii) Organizing Competition-Watch (C-Watch); (iv) Implementation of Quality Management Standards and Quality Technology Tools in selected MSMEs; (v) Monitoring International Study Missions.
Ø  BE allocation 2013-14 : Rs. 10 crore.
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.0.41 crore
Marketing Assistance and Technology Up-gradation in MSMEs Scheme:

Ø  Marketing Assistance and Technology Up-gradation in MSMEs is a strategic initiative for adoption of Modern Marketing techniques by MSMEs consistent with the requirement of global market.

Ø  It involves eight sub components for which Government of India funding assistance will be available through Technology Upgradation in Packaging, Skill Upgradation/ Development for modern marketing techniques, Competition studies, Special component for North Eastern Region, New markets through State/District level local exhibitions/Trade fairs, Corporate Governance practices, Marketing Hubs & Reimbursement to ISO 18000/22000/27000 certification.
                       
Ø  BE allocation for 2013-14: Rs 5.00 Crore
Ø  Expenditure as on date – Rs.0.02 crore



Building Awareness on Intellectural Property Rights for the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Ø  The scheme has been launched to enable Indian MSMEs to attend global leadership and to empower them in using affective the tools of IPR of innovative projects.
Ø  The major activities under the scheme are Awareness/Sensitization Programmes on IPR, Pilot Studies for Selected Clusters/Groups of Industries, Interactive Seminars/Workshops, Assistance for Grant o



Virtual Clusters

Feature

MSME





The Virtual Clusters concept consists of a dedicated Web portal to be hosted by the Ministry of Micro Smalland Medium Enterprises (MSME).

It provides an opportunity for the following stakeholders to register and join.

·         MSME's and their business units.
·         Academic institutions (engineering colleges, polytechnics, ITI's as well as MBA colleges and
design institutes).
·         Various experts, consultants and trainers who can provide sector specific help to MSME's.
·         Banks and other financial institutions who are interested in providing financing to MSME's.
·         Various governmental organizations, NGO's, and volunteering executives who have a special interest in the MSME sector.

The main stakeholders in this initiative are the small business units. The role of the other stakeholders is to helpthe business units grow rapidly in the areas of increasing the sales and the profitability.

The Virtual Cluster concept is being conceived such that small businesses belonging to different sectors cancoexist with their fellow enterprises on a web portal and realize the benefits of focused and targeted networking.Web based Virtual Clusters for different sectors can be created rapidly thereby responding to the needs of thestakeholders quickly.

What is the difference between current physical clusters and virtual clusters?

The current "physical clusters" scheme requires the MSME units to be physically located in one geographicarea. It also requires time and significant resources to build and maintain the physical infrastructure. Virtual Clusters on the other hand remove the need to maintain a physical presence in these regions. Small Businesses/ Enterprisescan be located anywhere in India and yet be able to realize all the benefits that units in the physical clusters nowrealize.



What are the Benefits to various stakeholders?

Business enterprises

·         Awareness of various opportunities such as government tenders and export opportunities.
·         Training in new technologies that will improve their operations and reduce costs.
·         New product development opportunities.
·         Help from students and faculty from nearby academic institutions without having to pay for such help. Such help can be in areas such as quality improvement, cost reduction, new product designs, etc.
·         Targeted help from consultants and experts specific to particular business sectors.

Students

Studies have shown that a large number of students are not able to get meaningful jobafter completing theirstudies since they lack the exposure to solving real life problems. Through the Virtual Clusters web site and other associated activities we are aiming to address this problem by linking various academic institutions to businesses. Asa part of their industry internship program students can help implement a number of systems at the business unitswithout these businesses having to employ outside experts to provide such services.

Consultants and other practicing professionals

Professionals who have expertise in specific business sectors will be able to quickly reach businesses in thatsector who are registered through the Virtual Clusters web portal. This will make the process far more efficient forboth the parties.

Banks and other financial institutions

Many banks and other financial institutions offer special funding packages to small businesses. Through the Virtual Clusters initiative they will be able to offer sector specific funding packages rather than standard offering in which the small businesses have to fit in. This will enable banks to specialize in sectoral funding and simultaneouslyspread their risks across a larger number of companies in a given sector. Businesses will benefit by saving time and having ready access to better suited funding options.

Central and State Government organizations

A number of central and state level organizations offer many programs targeted at the small businesscommunity. The Virtual Clusters portal will make it easier for policy makers and other implementing agencies toreach these businesses quickly and more efficiently.

NGO's and Volunteer advisors

As in case of governmental organizations many regional NGO's and volunteer advisors can reach MSMEsthat arregistered in the Virtual Clusters web site more effectively.

Pilot Project


Virtual Clusters model is being tested through a pilot that will first focus on businesses involved in the Food Processing Industry. This includes companies that make food products and those that make equipment used in food processing. The concept will then be readily and rapidly extended to a number of other sectors.





Examples of food products


  • Packaged honey and various honey based products

  • Dry fruits

  • Saffron Spices

  • Various types of nuts: cashews, peanuts, walnuts, etc.

  • Juices

  • Herbs

  • Biscuits and other baked products Etc.


Examples of food processing machinery

·    Pasteurizing machinery
·    Baking ovens
·    Spice grinders
·    Packaging machinery
·    Juice making machinery etc.

After getting some experience with the pilot project for few months the Virtual Clusters web site will beopened up to a number of other sectors.


How will the Virtual Clusters website and the initiative be administered?

NIESBUD, a training arm of MSME Ministry will administer the Virtual Clusters web site and will pro actively perform the following activities:


·      Work with bankers and various stakeholders within the government in the best interest of the MSME's.

·      Survey the needs of the Food processing sector and organizing the availability of required technologies and
·      facilitating specialized training in the application of such technologies.

·      Work with the purchasing arms of the various government departments and PSU's to assess their purchase requirements that have been reserved for purchasing from the MSME's.

·      Work with the academic institutions to review their experiences and help fine tune the process as needed.

·      Monitor web site usage and suggest any changes that might be necessary to enhance overall user experience.

·      Anything else that needs to be done to make the initiative a strong success at an early date.

·      Organize a package of software applications that will be of benefit to MSME's.

·      Train academic institutions and MSME's in the use of such software applications.


NIESBUD – Promoting and Developing MSMEs

The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) has been functioning from 6th July 1983, under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The basic objectives of the Institute are promotion and development of micro, small and medium enterprises including enhancement of their competitiveness through different interventions.

The major areas of intervention of the Institute are: -

Training

The different kind of training programmes being organized by the Institute inter-alia include Trainers’ Training Programmes (TTPs); Management Development Programmes (MDPs); Orientation Programmes for Head of Departments (HoDs) and Senior Executives; Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs); Entrepreneurship-cum-Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs) and specially designed sponsored activities for different target groups.

Of late, the Institute, in order to provide skilled work- force to different industrial sectors, has also been focusing upon conduct of market driven Entrepreneurship-cum-Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs) in different trades where the shortage of skilled work force is being felt by the concerned industries besides organizing fee-based training activities in contemporary fields.

NIESBUD has provided training to 1,58,700 persons as on March 31, 2013  through 5,951 different training programmes since its inception in July 1983. This includes 2,453 international participants hailing from more than 130 countries throughout the globe.

In the year 2013-14, about 100,000 persons are likely to be trained. By the end of November, 2013, more than 60,000 persons have already been trained.

Research/Evaluation Studies

Besides the primary/basic research, the Institute has been undertaking review/evaluation of different government schemes/programmes, training need assessment, industrial potential survey etc. and preparing project profiles all of which form an integral part of the multi-farious activities of the Institute. The broad objective of these activities is the promotion of the MSME Sector.

The year 2012-13 saw the Institute completing seven evaluation/research studies. The Institute is working on a number of evaluation/research studies at present which are at different stages of completion.

Development of Course Curriculum/Syllabi

The Institute has developed Model Syllabi for organizing Entrepreneurship Development Programmes for nine different target groups: General Entrepreneurs; Science & Technology Entrepreneurs; Women Entrepreneurs; Educated Unemployed Entrepreneurs (SEEUY); Ex-Servicemen Entrepreneurs; Rural Entrepreneurs including weaker sections; Artisan Entrepreneurs; Tribal Entrepreneurs and Handicapped Entrepreneurs.

At present, the Institute is assisting the Core Group on Standardization of the Common Training Programmes of the Ministry of MSME in standardizing/ introducing new courses.

Publications and Training Aids

The Institute has been bringing out different Publications on entrepreneurship and allied subjects. The recent publications of the Institute are a Booklet “Learn to Earn” – An Introduction to Entrepreneurship for School Students; Text Books on Computer Hardware & Networking; Food Processing; Desktop Publishing & Entrepreneurship Development and a Book on Training Programme : Employability & Entrepreneurship Skills.

The Institute has also assembled an Entrepreneurship Motivation Training Kit consisting of six different games and exercises for facilitating imparting of training by Trainers.

The Institute also brings out a quarterly Newsletter containing information about the Institute’s Activities, its forthcoming programmes/activities and the important events in MSME and connected sectors.

Cluster Interventions

The Cluster Approach for development of MSME Sector has been found to be very cost effective, the world over. The Institute has been actively involved in undertaking developmental programmes (Soft and Hard Interventions) in Clusters in different capacities. The Institute has so far handled a total of 24 Industrial Clusters.

At present, the Institute is functioning as an Implementing Agency for setting up of a Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Scissors Cluster; Meerut.

The experience of the Institute in Brass Cluster, Moradabad; Textile Cluster, Pilkhuwa and Scissors Cluster, Meerut, has been quite enriching and productive.

Garment Incubation Centre

The Incubator sponsored by the Ministry of MSME and functioning at the Campus of the Institute, has been instrumental in providing hands-on training and familiarizing the beneficiaries with the real factory, market conditions. The Centre is equipped with the latest cutting, sewing and embroidery machines including single needle lock stitch, over lock stitch and inter lock stitch sewing machines which go towards providing a practical orientation/ environment to the beneficiaries.

Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre

The Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have been found to be a major and crucial area in the functioning of the units and development of the MSME Sector.

The Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre, operational at the Campus of the Institute under the office of DC (MSME) provides assistance under one roof to the units located in its vicinity for identification, registration, protection and management of Intellectual Property Rights, as a business tool.

The E-Module: EDP

The Institute has developed an E-learning Module (Hindi and English) for Entrepreneurship Development Programmes. The course material of the Module has been incorporated in a C.D. which is moderately priced. The Module is especially useful for the persons who are not in a position to devote full time in formal classroom environment.

The Module involves one-day introductory classroom training followed by 14 days’ of on-line training. After an on-line examination, the participant is awarded Certificate on line. The Module is very popular among students of management and technical institutions of higher learning.

The Module has so far been launched in the States of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan.

The Regional Centre, Dehradun

The Regional Centre of the Institute functioning from Dehradun undertakes research and provides training and consultancy services to the beneficiaries specially those belonging to the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Hand-holding for Enterprise Creation and Employment Assistance to the Trainees

The main objective of the EDPs and ESDPs being organized by the Institute is to motivate increasing number of participants to opt for self-employment. The Institute provides hand-holding services to such persons. The Institute also assists the participants to find suitable wage employment if they do not opt for self-employment.

The percentage of the trained persons thus assisted by the Institute during the last three years is:


Percentage of Participants assisted for setting up of Units
Percentage of Participants assisted for Wage Employment
2010-11
6.80
32.73
2011-12
4.20
19.41
2012-13
2.44
27.23

Collaborative Activities

Of late, the Institute has been collaborating with different domestic and overseas institutions for promotion of entrepreneurial provision of support services for different target groups. A few such institutions are the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group; GIZ; Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE); Sun On-line Learning India Pvt. Ltd.; Intuit India, Jaipuria Institute of Management etc.

Partner Institutions

The Institute, in order to increase outreach of its training activities, empanels such grass-root level organizations engaged in educational activities including those pertaining to entrepreneurial development which have adequate infrastructure, experienced faculty and financial viability for conduct of different training activities. The Institute, at present, has 63 Partner Institutions spread over 12 states/U.T.

International Activities 

The Institute conducts 8-weeks’ training programmes under the Fellowships of the Ministry of External Affairs: ITEC/SCAAP/COLOMBO Plan for the participants from different countries.

Besides, the Institute also designs and conducts special  training programmes for overseas agencies and has also been assisting other countries through consultancy assignments primarily in assessing the industrial potential of different Regions.

Consultancy Services are offered both at National and International Level through:

Setting up of Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDIs); undertaking macro and micro industrial potential survey for truly bringing out the industrial potential of different geographical locations; assessing the training needs of different target groups; selecting different beneficiaries viz; trainers, MSMEs etc.; designing syllabi and developing curriculum for different training programmes like Trainers’ Training Programmes (TTPs), Entrepreneurship-cum-Skill Development Programmes (ESDPs), Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) and different orientation programmes; organizing customized training programmes for both trainers and entrepreneurs as well, either in India or outside; developing appropriate training aid material for use in imparting training to different target groups; developing monitoring and post-training services mechanism for maximizing the benefits; identifying different industrial clusters and ensuring their integrated development and facilitating formulation of the plans & policies and establishment of infrastructure for promotion of MSME sector.



R&D Upgradation Activities in MSME sector
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing various schemes such as Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) and National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) with nine components (listed below) for supporting research and technology upgradation activities for MSME sector. Further, MSME Tool Rooms and MSME Technology Development Centres of the Ministry also provide technological support and services to MSMEs.

(i) Marketing Support/Assistance to MSMEs (Bar Code)

(ii) Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators

(iii) Enabling Manufacturing Sector to be competitive through Quality Management Standard & Quality Tech. Tools (QMS/QTT)

(iv) Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for MSME

(v) Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme for MSMEs

(vi) Design Clinic Scheme for design expertise to MSMEs Manufacturing Sector (DESIGN)

(vii) Marketing Assistance & Technology Up-gradation Scheme for MSMEs

(viii) Technology and Quality Upgradation Support to MSMEs

(ix) Promotion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Indian Manufacturing Sector (ICT)

These schemes are reviewed with a view to improve their efficacy from time to time and are re-oriented as and when required.

Many schemes for upgradation of research and technology implemented by Ministry of MSME are already in PPP mode like Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators; Enabling Manufacturing Sector to be competitive through Quality Management Standard & Quality Tech Tools (QMS/QTT); Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for MSME; Design Clinic Scheme for design expertise to MSMEs Manufacturing Sector (DESIGN); Technology and Quality upgradation Support to MSMEs etc. 





MSME Creates More Than 20 Lakh Jobs by Assisting 2.33 Lakhs New Entrepreneurs Under PMEGP
More than 20 Lakh persons have been provided employment under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) which is being implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The Government has released Rs 5381.63 crore under the scheme since 2008-09 and more than 2.33 lakh projects have already been assisted.

The Government has been enhancing the allocation for PMEGP every year and the allocation for the current year for 2013-14 (B. E.) is Rs 1418.28 crore. For the country as a whole, the outlay for XII Five Year Plan under PMEGP has been kept at Rs 8060 crore which is 70% higher than the allocation of XI Plan for the scheme.

The PMEGP is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities, as well as wage employment through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. KVIC is the Nodal agency at national level to implement the scheme across the country.

Towards speedy and effective monitoring of implementation of the scheme an Advisory Committee for each district has been constituted. The committee liaises and coordinates with KVIC, State Government and other agencies including Banks for effective mobilization of young entrepreneurs under PMEGP. It also ensures that the scheme is implemented in accordance with its guidelines. The advisory committee tracks the progress of implementation to meet the target, monitor both input and output, i.e. whether the services and projects are being set up on schedule and review the progress/achievement.

The Ministry has also directed KVIC and the implementing agencies to ensure that at least 100 projects per district are assisted under the scheme this year.

Under the PMEGP any project in the manufacturing sector costing upto Rs 25 lakh, and in the service sector upto Rs 10 lakh, is eligible for assistance under this scheme. The assistance is in the form of margin money subsidy for mobilising Bank credit. The rate of subsidy is 25% of the project cost in the rural area and 15% in the urban area for General category. For special categories like SC/ST, OBC, minorities, women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, NE Region, hill and border areas, etc., the rate of subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The beneficiary contribution is 5% of the project cost for special categories and 10% for general categories. Any individual above 18 years of age is eligible for assistance. 




Blueprint for Development of MSME Sector
The Ministry of MSME came into existence in its present form following the enactment of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED), Act 2006, which, was one of the first blueprints of the Government to develop the MSME sector.

The implementation of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP), with its ten components, which commenced in 2006, was a blueprint for increasing competitiveness in the MSME sector.

The report of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on MSMEs in 2010, drafted by Ministry of MSME focussed on several areas to remove bottle necks for MSMEs. It addressed (a) credit (b) marketing (c) labour (d) rehabilitation and exit policy (e) infrastructure – technology – skill development and (f) taxation. This is the blueprint for development of MSMEs.

The Public Procurement Policy, notified in 2012 is a blueprint for providing marketing support to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) by making it obligatory on Central Ministries / Departments / Central Public Sector Undertakings to procure minimum 20% of their annual requirements from MSEs.

In 2013, the Ministry has submitted a report on the recommendations of the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) on accelerating manufacturing in the MSME sector.

The inputs from the above reports and reports made by other Ministries together with the programme of plan outlays presently being implemented by the Ministry of MSME constitute the main blueprint for fostering development of the MSME sector. 


Virtual Clusters Launched
Virtual Clusters, an initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, was launched by the Minister of MSME, Shri K. H. Muniyappa, during the presentation Ceremony of National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in New Delhi, on Saturday. Conceived as supplementing Physical Clusters, Virtual Clusters is a dedicated web-portal which will enable small businesses located anywhere in the country and the other stakeholders like banks, other financial institutions, various Government bodies, NGOs, industry experts, consultants and trainers, academia, research & technical institutions etc. to come together. This will facilitate the stakeholders to leverage the expertise of each other to their mutual growth and benefit.

Sh. Madhav Lal, Secretary (MSME), speaking on the occasion, said that Virtual Clusters would allow small businesses belonging to different sectors to co-exist with their fellow enterprises on the web-portal and enable them to capitalize on the benefits of networking. This would contribute towards further growth of MSME Sector.

The web-portal will be administered by The National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), an organization under the Ministry of MSME. 

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