April 9, 2014
1000 days at a glance: Bengal leads in MSME sector
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee leads by example. Under her guidance, Bengal is ahead of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in terms of credit flow in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The state has improved on the credit-deposit ratio count with banks lending more to MSME units in Bengal. The Government has also announced a policy for medium, micro and small-scale, and textile, industries. The Chief Minister has always maintained that small and medium scale enterprises are Bengal`s strength, and the State has been leading in this sector.
Here are some of the achievements in the sector of medium, micro and small-scale enterprises:
Enhancement of bank credit for medium, micro and small-scale enterprises: Our state stands first in terms of providing credit to micro and small-scale enterprises. During April-September 2012; in a period ofsix months, nationalised banks provided a total credit of Rs4331 crore to these sectors; which is highest in the country. Again, in the first month of this financial year, we are in the first position with respect to the total credit allotment, which is Rs 8,900 crore. Compared to last year, our rate of growth is 105%. For other states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, this rate is much lower, with the average being 50%.
Setting up new Industries: During the last two-and-a-half years, 29,735 new enterprises have been set up. Total investment stands at Rs 2595 crore. Expected employment generation is for 2,02,245 people. In this period, incentives of Rs 191 crore have been provided. Special training programme has been initiated with regard to the employment of 1,06,000 youths across the state.
Creation of markets for marketing of products made by traditional artisans: UNESCO-assisted Rural Craft Hubs have been taken up for holistic development of 10 different types of artisans involved in traditional handicrafts, viz., kantha (a type of embroidery), dokra (a type of non-ferrous metal casting), kather putul (dolls made of wood), mukhosh (masks), terracotta (handicrafts made out of a burnt reddish clay), shitalpati (a kind of mat), patachitro (scroll painting), madurkathi (a mat made of cane), matir putul (dolls made of clay), kather mukhosh (masks made of wood).
A programme has been initiated under National Fibre Mission (NFM) to invest Rs 257crore for 17,000 artisans and weavers in 11 underdeveloped districts. To facilitate jobs for 5,31,475 weavers and 5,28,540 artisans, photo-identity cards have been provided. 3,81,714 weavers have been registered under health insurance scheme.
Urban Haat: Biswa Bangla haats have been opened in Durgapur and Rajarhat. A haat in Santiniketan would start functioning soon. The processes for opening haats are underway in Purulia, Bishnupur, Alipurduar, Siliguri and Jhargram.
Creation of new opportunities in handloom: 220 lakh man-days have been generated and Rs 194 crore has been invested for 5 lakh handloom weavers. Work has been started on 39 handloom clusters andwith92 handloom groups, with the involvement of 2 lakh handloom weavers.
Promotion of handloom, handicrafts, other products and branding: To meet this objective, the state government has initiated the Biswa Bangla Band. The first ever Biswa Bangla Brand marketing outlet has been opened at Kolkata Airport.
Bringing market facilities to the doorsteps of artisans: Opportunities have been created to help 17,410 manufacturers of handicrafts and artisans to participate in different state-level, national and international exhibitions and fairs. Products worth Rs 86 crore have been sold and supply orders amounting to Rs 257 crore have been obtained.
Development and promotion of khadi and rural industries: 1,17,000 village industries and 161 khadi units have participated in the task of development and promotion of khadi and rural industries. 7,10,000and 38,000 people have gained employment in village industries and khadi units, respectively. During this period, cluster development programmes have been initiated for 15 khadi and village industries. 2400 people have taken part in these programme.
Provision of modern technology to artisans: Technology Facilitation Centre (TFC) has been started with the co-operation of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) in Kolkata for micro, small & medium-scale enterprises. Design Facilitation Centre (DFC) has been created in Kolkata for handloom weavers.
Industrial hubs: Three industrial hubs have started operation on land measuring 331 acres in Ambari-Phalakata, Rejinagar and Durgapur. Development work for six industrial hubs on 130 acres of land, with a total outlay of Rs 90 crore, has started in Barjora, Shaktigarh, Khasjangal, Dabgram, Mahesh and Bolpur. Besides these, construction of five industrial hubs with a total investment of Rs 528 crore, spread over 454 acres, has been started under joint venture.
Upcoming projects: Construction work for Mega Textile Park in Belur on 75 acres, Silk Park in Malda on 15 acres, Eco-tourism Park in Banarhat near Jalpaiguri on 100 acres and World Micro Market in Santiniketan on 100 acres have started.
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