Question : HARASMENT OF SSI INDUSTRIALISTS

(a): the major factors responsible for closure of small and medium scale industrial units in different parts of the country;

(b): the number of labourers rendered jobless due to units closure, category-wise along with the steps taken to provide employment to these workers and technicians;

(c): whether the Government is aware that Small Scale Industrialists are facing infrastructural/technical problems such as Sales Tax, Income Tax, Electricity Board and State Financial Institutions; and

(d): if so, the details thereof along with action taken by the Government in this regard for the smooth functioning of these units?

MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES(SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)

(a): Though closure of a small scale industry (SSI) is dependent on the decision of the SSI concerned, some of the major factors responsible for closure of SSI are fall in demand for specific products, change in technology, inadequacy and shortage of working capital, shortage of raw materials, marketing problems, lack of competitiveness, managerial inadequacy etc.



(b): The data on the number of labourers rendered jobless due to closure of SSI are not maintained centrally. However, workers and technicians rendered jobless due to closure of SSI units can avail of the self-employment opportunities under the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) being implemented by the Central Government throughout the country.

(c)&(d): The promotion and development of SSIs is primarily the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territories (UT) administrations. In order to solve the problems faced by SSI sector, relating to availability of credit, technology upgradation, infrastructure and marketing facilities, the Central Government also implements a number of schemes/programmes to supplement these efforts.