Chandigarh, Feb 17 (KNN) Non-manufacturing industries are unable to set up new industries here because the administration has not taken cognizance of the changed definition of MSMEs and is rejecting applications in this regard, according to the President of Chamber of Chandigarh Industries, Vinod Mittal.

“We have approached the administration several times but the matter is still pending before them,” Mittal told KNN, adding that they are unwilling to grant permission.

Incidentally, Chandigarh is a hub of fastener and tractor manufacturing parts. 

The definition of MSMEs was changed in 2006; yet the administration does not seem to take that into account, he said. As a result only manufacturing activities are taking place in the industrial area of Chandigarh, he said.

Another issue the entrepreneur mentioned was the non-availability of the free hold land in the Union Territory.

When units want to set up plants there they are unable to mortgage land because all the industrial plots in Chandigarh are leased, unlike elsewhere in the country. Nor are they able to set up joint ventures. This has added to the problems of MSME units, Mittal said.

Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister, Kalraj Mishra has called an industrial conclave here on 19 February to listen to the voice of industrialists across the city.

Entrepreneurs are eagerly waiting for the conclave so they can put forward their problems before the MSME minister. (KNN Bureau)