(a) whether it is a fact that 90 percent female entrepreneurs reported a significant decrease in their sales revenues post-lockdown and the recovery for women-led MSMEs is also likely to be slower due to low levels of profits and higher rates of unpaid and domestic work; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government to address this issue?
MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI NARAYAN RANE)
(a) & (b): The Ministry of MSME does not have data on the percentage of women-led enterprises who reported a significant decrease in their sales revenue post lock-down. However, as per a study conducted by the Ministry of MSME through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the micro units including women-run micro units set up under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), 88% of the beneficiaries of PMEGP scheme reported that they were negatively affected due to Covid-19 while the remaining 12% of micro units which deal with health and retail sector stated that they were benefitted due to Covid-19.
The Government has taken a number of initiatives under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support the MSME enterprises, including women-owned enterprises in the country, post Covid-19 pandemic. These include:
(i) Rs. 3 Lakh crore Collateral Free Automatic Loans for business, including MSMEs.
(ii) Rs.20, 000 crore Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs.
(iii) Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through MSME Self-Reliant India Fund.
(iv) New Revised criteria for classification of MSMEs.
(v) No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crores.
(vi) “Udyam Registration” for MSMEs, for Ease of Doing Business
(vii) An online Portal “Champions” was launched in June 2020 to cover many aspects of e-governance including grievance redressal and handholding of MSMEs.
viii) Inclusion of Retail and Wholesale trades as MSMEs w.e.f 02nd July 2021.