Anantapur, May 30 (KNN) In a bid to strengthen the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Andhra Pradesh (AP) government has released MSME backlog dues pending for the last five years, said BC Welfare Minister M Sankara Narayana. 

Speaking at a review meeting here on Friday, he said, ''the government has released Rs 905 crore for the entire state and the district industries received its share of Rs 82 crore for the MSME.''

Similarly, the government released Rs 4,600 crore fee reimbursement dues to the educational institutions, released Rs 10,000 for the Auto driver’s welfare and Rs 24,000 to the weaver’s families, he added.

Later, Government Whip Kapu Ramachandra Reddy said that the proposed Textile Park in Hindupur is yet to become operational as only five of the 55 sanctioned units were started.

''Out of the 22 lakh crore incentives announced by the central government, Rs 3 lakh crore are for the MSME sector. The officials should pass on the benefits to the MSME sector,'' informed Member of Parliament (MP) Talari Rangaiah.

District Industries Centre general manager Sudarshan Babu said that 18 mega industries had been set up with an investment of Rs 11.915.5 crore providing employment to 11,964 persons.

''Also 364 MSME units have been set up in the district at an investment of Rs 113.84 crores providing jobs to 3,220 persons,'' he added.