(a) whether the Government have released any rehabilitation assistance to the Small Scale Industries of Orissa which were severely affected by the Super Cyclone of 1999;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal of Government to provide working capital assistance to such industries;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reason therefore?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDEBNT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, DEPARTMENT OF PENSIONS AND PENSIONERS WELFARE OF THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE (SHRIMATI VASUNDHARA RAJE)
a) & b) Yes, Sir. Under the Rehabilitation Package, the assistance by SIDBI includes refinance disbursement of Rs.46 crores to Orissa State Financial Corporation (OSFC) and Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Orissa Ltd. (IPICOL), Rs.1.25 crore under National Equity Fund Scheme, and direct assistance of Rs.25 lakhs. The assistance by KVIC includes approval of two clusters viz. Lime Industry and Cottage Match Industry, identification of 18 clusters for development, marketing support to artisans and direct assistance of Rs.5 lakh for repair of damaged charkhas and looms. The assistance by Coir Board amounting to Rs.1.92 crore is towards providing raw material at subsidized rates, to distribute spinning ratts and to renovate plant and machinery damaged in the cyclone. As part of this package, the NSIC has deferred the repayment of loans amounting to Rs.2.33 crores, charged concessional rate of interest on outstanding dues of Rs.5.30 crores, provided raw material assistance amounting to Rs.38 lakhs, imparted training to 125 persons, and has provided direct assistance of Rs.13.48 crore under various schemes.
c), d) & e) Yes, Sir. The Reserve Bank of India`s guidelines already exist for rehabilitation of damaged units affected by natural calamities, which cover the super-cyclone in Orissa. These include concessionary facilities for the tiny and small scale sector by way of conversion of the existing excess drawings of the working capital into term loan, provision of additional working capital, rescheduling of term loans, etc.