The decisions of the Dhami government, from the industries of the state’s Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (MSME) sector to the infrastructure of big industries, are encouraging. While the speedy running of the wheel of MSME will give impetus to the economy of the state, new employment opportunities will also be created by promoting mega projects. However, entrepreneurs are of the opinion that the government should make an MSME industry policy apart from the budget.
Provision of Rs 50 crore for MSME industries
The Dhami government has made a provision of Rs 50 crore for MSME industries, which will provide relief to those small entrepreneurs who are unable to set up their industries due to non-availability of land. About 86 percent of the total industries in the state are registered under MSME, while 13.1 percent of GDP contributes to the state’s economy. Entrepreneurs described the provision of some funds for MSME industries as a relief step. Said that MSME industries are possible only in the nine hill districts of the state, here the availability of land and transportation facilities for import of raw material to export of finished goods are limited. In such a situation, being a hilly state, the importance of MSME industries is very high in Uttarakhand. A total of 2,58,288 industries are registered in the state, out of which 2,51,656 are from micro, 6,104 small and 528 from medium sector. Industries Association of Uttarakhand believes that during the Corona period, thousands of MSME industries had come into financial loss due to non-delivery of supplies on time. There has been no change in the situation since then.
Small entrepreneurs say that MSME industries can be operated better here in accordance with the geographical location of the state. In such a situation, the state government needs to pay special attention to the strengthening and infrastructure of these industries. Micro industries can be based on local products and also prove capable of providing employment to local youth unemployed.
Provision of Rs 30 crore for startups and entrepreneurship
To realize the idea that youth should become job providers by setting up innovative startups, the government has made a provision of Rs 30 crore for the Promotion of Investment Startup and Entrepreneurship Scheme. To develop the startup eco-system, the government is emphasizing on starting industry-based courses so that students can study such subjects which are beneficial for the industries. While this will provide skilled human resources to the established industries, the youth will take interest in industry-based startups.
