Question : AGRO BASED INDUSTRIES

(a) the number of agro-based industries set up in the country including Chhattisgarh during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) the contribution of small scale and cottage industries to the economic development of the country;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study/assessment regarding capacity/contribution of cottage industries in terms of income and employment generation in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(e) whether there is still a lot of scope for development of agro-based industries in various States including Bihar; and

(f) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government in this regard, State-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a): State-wise number of agro based industries set up in the country is not maintained centrally in the Ministry.

(b): The contribution of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to GDP and to total industrial production was estimated to be 8.72% and 44.86% respectively during the year 2008-09.

(c): Government in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has not conducted any study/assessment regarding capacity/contribution of cottage industries in terms of income and employment generation in the country.

(d): Does not arise.

(e) & (f): Yes, Madam. Government in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) has been implementing a credit-linked subsidy programme named Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) since 2008-09 through KVIC throughout the country for generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises including agro based industries in the non- farm sector by organizing traditional artisans and unemployed youth. Under the programme, general category beneficiaries can avail of margin money subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For beneficiaries belonging to special categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, minorities, women, ex-servicemen, physically handicapped, beneficiaries belonging to NER, hill and border areas, etc., the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The maximum cost of project is Rs 25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and Rs 10 lakh in the service sector. Under PMEGP, a total of 2.21 lakh micro enterprises including agro based industries have been assisted with a margin money subsidy of Rs 4147.95 crore providing employment to an estimated 20.34 lakh persons since its inception till 2012-13. The State-wise number of agro based and food processing units assisted under PMEGP since inception (upto 2011-12) is given in Annex.