Bhubaneswar: There are 38,477 MSMEs in Odisha led by women, which constitutes 12.3% of the total MSMEs in Odisha. The number of women led MSMEs in Odisha is higher than the national average, stated Shri L.N. Gupta, ACS, MSME during the 3rd Seminar on the “Development of MSMEs with Focus on Women & ST/SC Entrepreneurs/Startups” held
today on the sidelines of Odisha International MSME Trade Fair, 2018.
He added that 28,835 (9%) MSMEs are owned by persons of SC Category and 18,800 (6%) MSMEs are owned by ST Category. He further added that whereas, Odisha MSME Policy, 2016 offers additional incentive of 5% to MSMEs promoted by women and ST/SC
Entrepreneurs, Odisha Food Processing Policy offers 8% additional incentive to the
women and ST/SC entrepreneurs, over and above what is available to the entrepreneurs of general category. He further stated that under the Stand up ‘India Programme’ each branch of a bank is required to provide composite loan between Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore to at least one woman entrepreneur and one SC or ST entrepreneur for setting up a green field enterprise.
Delivering key note address on the occasion, Shri Ravindra Nath, CMD, NSIC, New Delhi informed that with creation of National ST/SC Hub w.e.f. 18.8.2016, various special incentives have been extended to ST/SC entrepreneurs in procurement by CPSUs. In order to bridge the awareness gap about the scheme, NSIC has already organized 20 SC/ST conclaves during the current year and the next one will be organized in Odisha shortly. He also offered to set up Incubation Centres for entrepreneurship development in the state, provided the state government provides necessary building infrastructure. He added that NSIC will bring plant and machinery required for incubation support to the budding entrepreneurs under the ASPIRE scheme. He also invited the group of entrepreneurs from Odisha to visit their Incubator and Advance Learning Centre at New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, Industries
spoke on the steps taken by government for ‘Ease of Doing Business’. He called upon
the MSMEs including women entrepreneurs to use the online platforms like GO SWIFT,
Go Smile, APPA etc. He also informed that IDCO has more than 50,000 acres of land
available under its land bank for the entrepreneurs intending to set up industry in
Odisha.
Smt. Archana Pattnaik, MD, Odisha Medical Corporation Ltd., Bhubaneswar
informed about the procurement of at least 20% of total quantity and preferences
being given by the medical corporation to the MSMEs. Smt. Rashima Misra, Co-Founder
& Executive Director of Milk Mantra, Bhubaneswar shared her success story indicating
the growth of Milk Mantra, which today supplies more than 1.35 lakh liters of milk in
Odisha. Smt. Jagyaseni Jena, Secretary, Govinda Dhupakathi Cluster, Govindpur,
Dhenkanal while narrating her story, stated that how she had overcome the difficulties
and has been able to organize self-employment to more than 400 women in
manufacturing of incense sticks. Mrs. Jayashree Mohanty, Co-Founder & President,
Luminous Infoways shared her story of becoming successful IT Entrepreneur and
software exporter starting from a rented house with employment to 2 persons to now
532 persons. Shri S.K. Sahoo, MSME-DI, Government of India, Cuttack explained about
various schemes of Govt. of India available for women and ST/SC entrepreneurs.
Delivering the presidential address Shri Prafulla Samal, Hon’ble Minister, MSME,
W&CD, SSE&PD stated that State government is taking all necessary steps to empower
women in the state socially and economically. He stated that through Mission Shakti
and other programmes of MSME and Industries Department, necessary facilitation is
being made available to women to set up their own enterprises.
Also, speaking on the occasion, Sri Kartikeswar Sethi, shared his story of how he
started his printing business with a paltry sum of Rs.750/-, which has now reached to a
turnover of one crore. Shri B.N. Mishra, President, OYEA gave closing remarks and Sri
P.K.Jena, IAS, MD, OSFC proposed vote of thanks.
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