BHUBANESWAR: As entrepreneurship development and self-employment generation have become key priorities for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department has geared up to identify bottlenecks and improve conditions for doing business in those areas.
The Department is all set to launch a drive to not only make the processes hassle-free for existing and prospective entrepreneurs but also sensitise youths on the schemes and plans of the Government. The campaign would be undertaken at the grassroot level with the District Industries Centres (DICs) playing the lead. It would also examine existing bottlenecks in service delivery and seek suggestions from entrepreneurs for possible solution.
The DICs have been directed to make the entrepreneurs aware of various steps taken by the Government to provide prompt and hassle-free services. The measures cover major processes like filing application, subsidy entitlement, tax reimbursement and online marketing support.
“In the last few months, we have taken a few initiatives like online filing of Entrepreneurship Memorandum EM-I and EM-II. Steps have been taken to administer various subsidies like capital investment, interest and VAT reimbursement online. Online registration with Export Promotional Marketing (EPM) registration has started. But the efforts will not yield desired results unless the entrepreneurs at the grassroot level are sensitised to utilise them,” MSME Secretary Panchanan Dash pointed out in a communique to the general managers of all DICs.
The online filing of EM-I and EM-II has, in fact, become a model for other States to follow. The EM-I application for land, credit and clearances and the EM-II for marketing support, raw material and assistance under industrial MSME policies have earned appreciation from the Union Government.
While the online system has boosted registration rate of the department, it has enabled better tracking of the units.
As on date, 14,525 EM-I applications have been filed of which 13,507 have been approved and 530 are pending. Around 397 proposals have been rejected. In EM-II, 1,708 applications have been filed with 1,560 of those getting approval and 115 under consideration. Only 24 have been rejected.
While drawing attention to the achievements, Dash called upon the functionaries to identify bottlenecks and suggest remedial measures to make entrepreneurs comfortable to do business. The Secretary has urged them to point out areas where Government intervention is required for facilitating a conducive business environment.