State among top five in SME job creation

Odisha has emerged as the fifth leading state to facilitate growth in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), generating over 21,000 jobs in the sector between April 2011 and February 2012, according to Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham). West Bengal has topped the list followed by Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. “Over 0.32 milllion jobs were generated in the SME sector across India,” said D S Rawat, national secretary general of Assocham.