Question : REVIEW OF MSME DEVELOPMENT

(a) whether the Government has constituted any council/committee for preparing comprehensive policy guidelines for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector and reviewing the development of this sector;

(b) if so, the details thereof including its terms of reference and the manner in which it is likely to function;

(c) whether technological development in the small scale industry sector is quite low in comparison to the major countries of the world; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)& (b): Preparation of comprehensive policy guidelines for the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector is a continuing process. Currently, deliberations are underway to finalize the draft MSME policy circulated to various stakeholders.

(c) & (d): The technological development in the small industry sector in India is generally low. The Ministry of MSME is implementing the flagship Scheme namely Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme with the objective of assisting MSE units for upgradation of technology with a provision of 15% of capital subsidy subject to a limit of Rs.15 lakh. Furthermore, the Tool Rooms and Technology Development Centres located in different parts of the country have undertaken significant technological development and have produced state of art tools for the consumption of the sector. At present there are 18 Tool Rooms and Technology Development Centres all over the country and 15 new tool rooms are coming up with World Bank assistance during the 12th Five Year Plan period.