New Delhi, June 2 (KNN) The Ministry of MSME released the guidelines for the “Digital MSME" Scheme for promotion of Information & Communication Technology in MSME Sector.

The Government has decided to implement "Digital MSME" Scheme for promotion of Information & Communication Technology in MSME Sector with a total budget of Rs. 85.705 Crore including Government of India’s contribution of Rs. 58.105 crore during 2017- 18 to 2019-20.

The scheme envisages promotion of ICT applications to make them "Digital" by adopting new approach of Cloud Computing with the objectives to sensitize and encourage MSMEs towards new approach ie., Cloud Computing for ICT adoption in their production and business processes with a view to improve their competitiveness in National and International Market; Adoption of best practices to improve quality of products and services; and To benefit large number of MSMEs in terms of standardizing their business processes, improvement in productivity through Cloud Computing by reducing the burden of investment on Hardware, Software and Infrastructural Activities using Cloud Platform.

The guidelines of the scheme have been approved by the Competent Authority.

Under this scheme, large number of MSMEs would be benefited in terms of standardization of their business processes, improvement in delivery time, reduction in inventory carrying cost, improvement in productivity and quality of production, controlling of cost & time, improved customer satisfaction etc. through cloud computing.

The scheme will be implemented for MSMES spread all over the country. The core component of the Scheme i.e. Cloud Computing will be implemented by Implementing Agency (IA), under the overall directions of DC (MSME). It is expected that once MSMEs are introduced to the benefits and savings that accrue from ICT, they would themselves continue to use cloud services at their own expense.

IA will be responsible for facilitating, implementation and monitoring of Cloud Computing the main component of the scheme. At the highest level ,PMAC will provide overall direction to the Scheme and will be headed by the Development Commissioner (MSME).

At the highest level, Project Monitoring and Advisory Committee (PMAC) will guide, review, monitor and provide overall direction for implementation of the scheme and will be headed by the Development Commissioner (MSME).

The Cloud Computing component of the Scheme will be implemented by selected IA [like TCll, ECll (Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. Deptt. of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India), STPI (Software Technology Parks of India, Ministry of C&IT), etc]. Initially Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCll) will work as IA. Additional Sis may be incorporated need based.

A Portal will be developed by TCll, which shall be used by the MSMEs for registration to avail the benefits under the scheme. The portal shall display the list of Cloud Computing Service Providers (CCSP) along with their list of the cloud services, charges, comparative cost of similar applications, features! specifications of the services, service levels, workflow to avail the services, etc.

Services being offered by CCSPs will be evaluated by a Technical Committee (TC). Initially the scheme will be implemented for period of 3 years which may be extended, if required, with the approval of Competent Authority (PMAC). (KNN Bureau)