MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a)&(b) Yes, Madam. Several indigenous industries in the country, especially the Bell Metal industry of Assam are facing
problems like lack of technology upgradation, shrinking market, lack of advance skill/tools, increased prices of raw
material, coal and other fuels, scarcity of raw material and lack of product diversification.
(c)&(d) No specific demand from Bell Metal Industry of Assam for assistance has been received for protection of industry
under Trademark and Geographical indications.
(e) Various steps have been taken by Govt. to improve the Bell Metal Industry in Assam, these are:
(i) For generation awareness/sensitization, a programme on Intellectual Property Right (IPR), Geographical indications
(GI) and trademarks issues was organized in bell metal cluster of Hazo district of Assam, on 20th May 2013.
(ii) Under MSE-CDP, a proposal for setting up a Model Common Facility centre at Bell Metal Cluster at Hajo District Kamrup
of Assam was approved by Ministry with a financial involvement of Rs.160.61 Lakhs and Rs. 81.66 lakhs have been released as
Ist installment.
(iii) An amount of Rs.157.34 lakhs was released under the State Priority scheme for Bell Metal Industry, Sarthebari by
Govt. Of Assam.
(iv) From the funds for raw material assistance, Rs.50 lakhs was provided to 280 nos of Bell Metal artisans, and Rs. 25
lakhs to 200 nos brass metal artisans.
(v) A Grant of Rs.51.30 lakhs, was released to 480 artisans for working shed.
(vi) The Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), New Delhi has sanctioned Rs.49.15 lakhs for 15 SHG (315
artisans) at Sarthebari at Barpeta District of Assam under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojna (AHVY). The
Office of DC (Handicrafts) has also sanctioned one Common Facility Centre involving an amount of Rs.49.76 lakhs
and one raw material bank amounting to Rs.100 lakhs for the cluster.
(vii) Further the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing the National Manufacturing
Competitiveness Programme, MSE- Cluster Development Programme and Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme for providing
assistance towards modernization, Quality Improvement, Energy Efficiency, Marketing and Design aspects of products etc
of MSEs in the country. The benefits are also provided under North East Industrial Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIP)
and under state industrial policy to Bell metal industry in Assam.
