Govt nod to change criteria for classifying MSMEs

The Union Cabinet today approved the change in criteria for classifying MSMEs from 'Investment in Plant & Machinery' to annual turnover.
As per the new classification, enterprises having annual turnover less than or equal to Rs 5 crore fall under the 'micro' category.
Units having turnover between Rs 5 crore to Rs 75 crore will be classified as small enterprises, whereas those having turnover between Rs 75 crore and Rs 250 crore will be classified as enterprises.
According to the government, the move will encourage ease of doing business, make the norms of classification growth- oriented and align classification norms to the new tax regime revolving around GST.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.
Section 7 of the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act 2006, will accordingly be amended to define units producing goods and rendering services.
At present, the MSMED Act Section 7 classifies MSMEs on the basis of investment in plant and machinery for manufacturing units, and investment in equipment for services enterprises.