Govt aims to set up all MSME technology centres by 2017

New Delhi: The government is aiming to complete the work of all MSME technology centres by 2017. “All technology centres should be completed in all respects by 2017 and the two technology centres will be upgraded by this year itself,” said Kalraj Mishra, Minister for MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises).

The government has approved ‘Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP)’ under which 15 new technology centres are to be established in the country, and the existing centres are to be upgraded. As per original plan, the programme is to be implemented over a period of 6 years.

Mishra ordered to speed up the construction of all the technology centres, while reviewing the work of MSME Development Organization. He was assured that the work on at least 10 technology centres will start during the year. In addition, the Minister has ordered that the present technology centres should cater to the needs of industries located at those places and should also work as cluster development centres for industries located in their area.

About 1.79 lakh youths were trained in tool rooms and more than 8000 trainees benefitted under Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) during 2015-16. Kalraj Mishra emphasised to make all the training programmes conducted by the tool rooms, except certified diploma and degree courses, should be made NSQF complaint as soon as possible. The Minister also desired that the Aadhaar data of every trainee in the technology centre should be captured and mode of fee payment should be electronic.

To make the MSME sector more competitive, the ministry has given infrastructure assistance to develop 10 clusters under the lean manufacturing scheme.

While reviewing the work of training in the department, Kalraj Mishra urged National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NI-MSME), Hyderabad, to partner with institutes, especially in the states where MSMEs are located in large numbers. He also said that the assistance provided to training institutes should also be utilised for carrying out research studies on various aspects of promotion of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). A sum of more than Rs 200 crores was already utilised during April itself compared to less than Rs 2 crores last year.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.