New Delhi, June 24 (KNN) Government is seriously considering compulsory uploading of enterprise related data by all MSMEs in the newly launched MSME data portal.

This was announced by K K Jalan, Secretary, Ministry of MSME at a meeting taken recently with the leading MSME Associations and Federations.

Jalan mentioned that while the data uploaded by any enterprises will be self -certified and there will be no ‘Inspection’ it is necessary to make the data availability compulsory to develop a reliable database on MSMEs.

He also mentioned that the uniqueness of the portal is the enterprise mat modify and update the data, as many time as required, by logging in through a Password.

The database on which Secretary MSME confabulated with the MSME Associations before has been recently launched and available for MSMEs to upload their enterprise data at: msmedatabank.in.

While the format asks for elaborate information on the functioning of the enterprise, uploading of sensitive information like name of the buyers etc. voluntary.

Also it is left to the MSME whether to get their data certified by a Government agency like NSIC, MSME-DI or an MSME Association, self-certification of the information is also acceptable.

Addressing concerns raised by the representatives of the MSME Associations, Jalan mentioned that the data uploaded will not be available on public domain nor accessible through RTI application.

However, he mentioned the enterprise data may be made available to Central departments and Public Sector Undertakings to identify suitable suppliers of stores.

He hoped that this will facilitate achieving of procurement target from MSMEs by the PSUs.

Secretary MSME mentioned that when sufficiently populated, the database will provide Government reliable information on the health growth and potential of the sector. He also looked forward to bringing out an Annual Survey of the MSMEs based on the database.

Commenting on the MSME data portal, a spokesperson of FISME, the leading federation of Indian MSME mentioned that while the initiative is highly welcome, Government should ensure security of the data as there will be a lot of sensitive information.

He also mentioned that Government should also capture the competencies of national MSME Federations and associate them in implementation of the portal. (KNN/ DB)