In the last six months, the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) has approved interventions in over 300 industrial clusters in the country, according to the minister of state for MSMEs, K H Muniyappa. The ministry has also set a target for the creation of over 100 new enterprises per district every year under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in all the 650 districts in the country.
Under the cluster development programme of the government, infrastructure upgradation with assistance of up to Rs 10 crore and common facility centres with assistance of up to Rs 12 crore for SMEs are being supported, the minister said at a public function recently.
Under the Credit Guarantee Scheme so far, the government has facilitated collateral-free loans to more than 1.1 million micro and small enterprises, with the total sanctioned loan amount at Rs 54,322 crore.
Under the National Skill Development Programme in 2012-13, the MSME ministry imparted skill training to about 600,000 persons in different trades. Moreover, 15 new tool rooms and technology development centres are being set up with World Bank assistance. Rs 2,200 crore is being provided during the 12th Plan to the existing 10 tool rooms in the country.
