AP govt all set to launch Navodayam scheme for MSMEs

: The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to launch Navodayam, a complete outreach programme for thousands of ailing Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state, with a one-time restructuring of loans that will provide the required 'lifeline' for small industrial units.

The state has been witnessing a surge in growth of MSMEs with over 10,068 units set up in 2018-19 with an investment of Rs 3,443 crore, providing employment to 93,240 people.

"In AP, MSMEs generate the maximum employment after agriculture. This is a state government initiative to rejuvenate and give topmost priority thrust to facilitate and coordinate growth and development of the MSME sector," state Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy said.

The state cabinet approved the scheme at its recent meeting and the Department of Industries and Commerce subsequently worked out the modalities to make Navodayam operational.

About 86,000 MSMEs in the state have been identified for restructuring under Navodayam with an outlay of Rs 3,900 crore, sources in the Department of Industries and Commerce said.

While the state government has earmarked Rs 50 crore in the 2019-20 budget for rejuvenation of MSMEs,the Department of Industries and Commerce approached the Reserve Bank of India for mobilizing required financial resources for the ambitious.

Two sub-SLBC meetings have also been held with bankers in the state for getting the NPA accounts of MSMEs restructured so that the respective accounts are brought back to 'standard' level, the sources said.

"Navodayam will provide a lifeline to stressed MSMEs by ensuring that all eligible units are permitted for one-time restructuring of accounts up to March 31, 2020.

We are also creating a new ecosystem for rejuvenation and development of MSMEs in the state through a slew of initiatives," Principal Secretary (Industries and Infrastructure) Rajat Bhargava told PTI.

Through these measures, infrastructure worth over Rs 3,900 crore would not become non-performing assets (NPAs), he noted.

Under Navodayam, a special cell is being created at each District Industries Centre, headed by the General Manager, to provide handholding support to all restructured MSMEs for six months to stabilize the accounts.

Besides, studies will be conducted in all districts on sector-specific enterprises to identify key issues that need to be addressed and make the MSMEs robust.