Question : Reserved MSME Products

(a) whether the Government has removed many products from the list exclusively reserved for production by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs);

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the MSMEs association has criticised this step of the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the MSME sector has been affected by removal of products from reserved list; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the reformative steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a)&(b): With a view to encourage economies of scale, technological upgradation & competitiveness, the Government of India vide notification No. S.O. 998(E) dated 10.04.2015 de-reserved the remaining 20 items from the erstwhile list of items reserved for exclusive manufacture in Small Scale Industries (now Micro and Small Enterprises).

(c): The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) receives suggestions from Industries Associations from time to time regarding various issues.

(d) & (e): The Ministry of MSME implements various schemes for enhancing productivity of MSMEs in the country. These, inter-alia, include National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) with components viz. Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme, Scheme for Financial Support for Zero Defect and Zero Effect (ZED) Certification, Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators, Building Awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for MSMEs, and Promotion of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Manufacturing Sector. The Ministry also implements Micro & Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS), Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises(CGTMSE) etc to provide holistic support for enhancing the competitiveness and productivity of the MSME sector.