Mumbai, July 17 (KNN) Business and commercial activities of Ram Dev cannot be classified under Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) units, said Bankim D Mistry, President of Bombay Small Scale Industries Association (BSSIA).

Speaking with KNN India on the recent land allocation made to promoter of Patanjali Group, Baba Ram Dev for setting up MSME units which was originally reserved for a Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), he said “MSME benefits are not available to actual MSME units but siphoned out by MNC and big business units. Ram Dev activities are suspected to do such siphoning.”

According to media reports, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had invited the yoga guru to set up a MSME unit in Ausa village of Latur in the Marathwada region in a letter dated June 26.

The CM's letter stated, "For a MSME project, you can avail 100 per cent waiver of stamp duty followed by relief in electricity duty for a certain period. The electricity charges will also have Rs one per unit relaxation along with refund in GST as per the state policy.”