Ranchi, Apr 3 (KNN) The twin problems of electricity and land scarcity constitute a major development challenge for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jharkhand, said Jharkhand Small Industries Association (JSIA).

While sharing the challenges faced by the small sector entrepreneurs and their expectations from the new government, President of JSIA, S.K Agrawal told KNN India, “There is an inadequate supply of power in state due to which MSMEs face difficulty in running their industries.”

Concerned with the problem, he asked for 24 hours electricity/power supply for industries in state from the next government that comes in power after the polls due in May.

With regard to land issue in state, Agrawal said “Existing industrial areas and new industrial areas are not properly developed by Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority (JIADA).”

Because of land auctioning in state, large industries grab the land at higher rates and owing to which lands are not available for MSMEs and face land scarcity issue in Jharkhand.

On suggesting measures for land scarcity issue in state, JSIA President recommended MSME land policy for the state.

In last 4 years there has been no growth and development in MSME sector due to these problem.

To address the problem of land as far as MSMEs are concerned, there should be MSME land policy in state for which we have been writing letters to concerned authority since long, said Agrawal.

Appreciating the government policies and schemes for MSMEs and industries on one hand, Agrawal on the other hand criticized implementing authorities for not implementing government policies in real sense and timely manner.

MSMEs are made to run from pillar to post for availing benefits of government subsidies and schemes, he added.

With regard to such harassment, he said “Only thing we want from new government is ease of doing business and no such harassment by those bureaucrats.”

We expect that when new government comes to power Government policies should be implemented in letter and spirit. (KNN/YV)