THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES AND AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SMT. VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a): The total number of registered small scale units in the country with State-wise break up is given in Annex. Sector-wise information is not maintained.
(b): Details regarding growth, production, employment, investment, exports in small scale industry sector at all India level during last three years are given below.
1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000
Growth (%) at 1990-91 Prices 8.43 7.70 8.23+
Production (Rs. Crore)(at current prices) 465171 527515 578470+
Employment (lakh persons) 167.20 171.58 177.30+
Investment (Rs. Crore) 72577 78563 82745+
Exports (Rs. Crore)(at current prices) 44442 48979 N.A
+ Projected The information is not available State-wise.
(c)&(d): Major problems faced by the small scale sector are inadequacy of working capital, delay in sanction of working capital and time gap in its disbursement, obsolete technology, infrastructure constraints etc.
Details of plan of action to provide adequate credit to small scale units are:
1. The limit of composite loan under single window scheme has been raised from Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs.
2. The limit of loans without collaterals has been raised from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs.
3. The launching of Credit Guarantee scheme has been announced.
4. Setting up of specialized bank branches.
To facilitate upgradation of technology, the Government have strengthened the technology upgradation programme and provided facilities through Tool Rooms, Product-cum-Process Development Centres, Regional Testing Centres etc for promotion and development of SSI. The operation of Technology Development Modernization scheme has been extended for another three years. A scheme of Technology Upgradation called UPTECH intends to improve the level of technology in use at cluster level.
Other schemes for the promotion and development of SSI consist of Excise exemption/concession, Integrated infrastructure Development, programmes for entrepreneurial and skill development, incentive for acquiring ISO 9000 certification, product reservation, price and purchase preference, participation in domestic and international exhibitions etc. The State Governments also provide various incentives by way of infrastructural facilities and fiscal concessions.
