(a) the extent to which capital has been invested so far for setting up of small scale industries at village level;
(b) the number of such industries, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government are formulating any scheme for setting up of new industry; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES AND AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a): The total fixed investment in respect of permanently registered SSI units including those at the village level by the end of March, 2000 is estimated at Rs. 82,745 crores. Information on village level units is not estimated separately.
(b): The number of small scale units registered as on 31.12.2000 is 25,55,025. The State-wise break-up is given at Annexure-I.
(c) & (d): The Government have been taking various steps to encourage prospective entrepreneurs. The new policy measures to promote and strengthen the SSI sector were announced by the Prime Minister on 30th August, 2000. Some of the important measures announced include raising the limit for composite loans from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs, priority sector lending to industry related service and business enterprises, capital subsidy of 12% for investment in technology in select sectors, enhancement of excise duty exemption limit from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore to improve its competitiveness etc. Further, it has also been decided to conduct a Census of SSI units.