MSME CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME-A KEY TO GROWTH
Most of the GOI/States Schemes though very beneficial for MSME sector are not getting popularized properly, thus these remain under wraps.
Busy MSMEs in the States are not reaping the benefits of schemes both due to the ignorance of MSMEs themselves and also due to indifference of the Bureaucratic Tantra when entrepreneurs themselves show no interest by they work in a very closed door environment and do not open to innovative ideas. Officials can only motivate and they cannot force the entrepreneurs. So, it was for the MSMEs to come forward.
One such scheme floated by The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (GOI) is:
Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Program (MSE-CDP)
Many a States of India are way ahead of others in popularizing this scheme enabling their MSMEs to reap benefit of the scheme by enhancing their technological capability as well as improving bottom lines/profits of enterprise through COMMON FACILITATION CENTRES.
States like Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Telangana are able to pass on the benefits of the scheme to SMEs way ahead over other states.
The complete scheme of Ministry is reproduced in original as appended.
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Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Program (MSE-CDP)
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India (GOI) has adopted the Cluster Development approach as a key strategy for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity building of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and their collectives in the country. A cluster is a group of enterprises located within an identifiable and as far as practicable, contiguous area or a value chain that goes beyond a geographical area and producing same/similar products/complementary products/services, which can be linked together by common physical infrastructure facilities that help address their common challenges. The essential characteristics of enterprises in a cluster are (a) Similarity or complementarily in the methods of production, quality control & testing, energy consumption, pollution control, etc., (b) Similar level of technology & marketing strategies/practices, (c) Similar channels for communication among the members of the cluster, (d) Common market & skill needs and/or (e) Common challenges & opportunities that the cluster faces.
Objectives of the Scheme:
(i)To support the sustainability and growth of MSEs by addressing common issues such as improvement of technology, skills & quality, market access, etc.
(ii) To build capacity of MSEs for common supportive action through formation of self help groups, consortia, up gradation of associations, etc.
(iii) To create/upgrade infrastructural facilities in the new/existing Industrial Areas/Clusters of MSEs.
(iv) To set up Common Facility Centers (for testing, training, raw material depot, effluent treatment, complementing production processes, etc).
(v) Promotion of green & sustainable manufacturing technology for the clusters so as to enable units switch to sustainable and green production processes and products.
Components:
(i) Common Facility Centers (CFCs): The GOl grant will be restricted to 70% of the cost of Project of maximum Rs.20.00 crore. GOl grant will be 90% for CFCs in NE & Hill States, Island territories, Aspirational Districts/L WE affected Districts, Clusters with more than 50% (a) micro/ village, (b) women owned, (c) SC/ST units. The cost of Project includes cost of Land (subject to maximum of 25% of Project Cost), building, pre-operative expenses, preliminary expenses, machinery & equipment, miscellaneous fixed assets, support infrastructure such as water supply, electricity and margin money for working capital.
(ii) Infrastructure Development: The GOI grant will be restricted to 60% of the cost of Project (Rs.lO.OOcrore for Industrial Estate & Rs.15 .00 crore for Flatted Factory Complex). GOI grant wiII be 80% for Projects in NE & Hilly States, Island territories, Aspirational Districts I LWE affected Districts, industrial areas / estates / Flatted Factory Complex with more than 50% (a) micro/ village, (b) women owned, (c) SC/ST units. For existing clusters, upgradation proposals will be based on actual requirements.
(iii) Marketing Hubs / Exhibition Centres by Associations:The Gol grant will be restricted to 60% of the cost of Project of maximum Rs.l 0.00 crore for Product Specific Associations with SMO rating of Gold Category and above from NABET (QCI) and 80% for Associations of Women Entrepreneurs. Remaining project cost is to be borne by SPV / State Government. The Gol contribution will be towards construction of building, furnishings, furniture, fitti1gs, items of permanent display, miscellaneous assets like generators, etc.
(iv) Thematic Interventions: The GOl grant will be restricted to 50% of total cost of maximum 5 Thematic Interventions not exceeding Rs.2.00 lakh for each in approved / completed CFC for activity mentioned below. As such the maximum Gol grant under this component for each CFC would be Rs.IO.OOlakh. Remaining cost would be borne by SPV / State Government.
(a) Training Programmes.
(b) Exposure Visits.
(c) Strengthening the Business Development Service (BDS) provision through a panel of service providers.
(d) Any other activity related to creating business eco-system in cluster mode.
(v) Support to State Innovative Cluster Development Programme:A few State Governments have initiated State funded Cluster Development Programme to support soft and hard interventions in clusters with limited funding support. In order to strengthen this activity, this component would provide co-funding of the CFC projects of State Cluster development Programme on matching share basis. The Gol fund would be limited to State Government share or Rs.5.00 crore whichever is lower. The Gol assistance would be 90% of project cost not exceeding Rs.5.00 crore in respect of CFC projects in North East/Hilly States, Island territories, Aspirational Districts/L WE affected Districts, as well as for projects where beneficiaries are SC/ST/Women owned enterprises, as per the scheme guidelines of State Cluster Development Programme.
How to apply :
Online Applications are only considered with effect from 01-04-2012. Hard copy of Applications needs to be sent through State Govts or their autonomous bodies or field institutes of Ministry of MSME ie. MSME-DIs. The proposals are approved by the Steering Committee of the MSE-CDP.
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The writer* who has compiled this information is a retired banker and has also worked as a Knowledge Partner for SIDBI for MSMEs Development makes a passionate appeal to the MSMEs to go for Cluster Development Program.
- He is an Almnus of Ssatish Chander Dhawan Govt. College , Ludhiana (India) and can be reachead at brijbgoyal@gmai.com ——- https://theglobaltalk.com/ ——+91 9417600666