Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said micro, small and medium enterprises across the country created 40 million jobs in the last four years.
The MSME minister said a large number of employment opportunities were generated through initiatives like collateral free loans to 160,000 entrepreneurs between 2014-18, linking 150,000 people to the Prime Minister's Employment Guarantee Programme and setting up 94 clusters for artisans and manufacturers.
"In the last four years, MSMEs have achieved the goal, provided employment opportunities and I accept with a challenge that we have created four crore jobs for people," Singh said while addressing the Udyam Sangam' conference here to mark the UN MSME Day.
The minister further said that the Solar Charkha Mission, launched by President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday at the conference, will create five crore jobs.
"During the first phase of the mission, 50 clusters will be established and financial assistance worth Rs 5.5 billion is being provided by the government which will create 100,000 jobs," Singh added.