MoMSME to send teams to 117 most backward, naxalite affected Aspirational Districts to spread awareness about schemes

New Delhi, July 23 (KNN) Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) will send teams of officials to 117 most backward and naxalite affected Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog to spread awareness about existing schemes of the Ministry and to obtain proposals to set up and strengthen micro and small enterprises, Minister of State (I/C) for MSME, Giriraj Singh informed Lok Sabha.

The Minister also informed that MSMEs are significantly present in all States and UTs and they are the second largest employer after agriculture in the country.

According to an official release, Singh said these enterprises have supported inclusive growth and development across the country thereby reducing the regional imbalances.

Replying to another query, Giriraj Singh said that the schemes of the Ministry are central sector schemes in which specific percentage of the budgetary allocation are earmarked for SC, ST and North Eastern Region’s population.

Most of these schemes are demand driven and expenditure is made in the specific States as per the proposals received. He said that over 40 lakh persons gained employment under the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme from 2015-16 to 30th June 2018.

He further pointed that Uttar Pradesh has been the largest beneficiary of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) with over 1.35 lakh estimated employment generation. Other states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir generated employment ranging from around 63,000 to 84,000 people.