Orissa mulls separate department for MSMEs

In the wake of persistent demands from the MSME (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) sector, the Orissa government has decided to examine the possibility of having a separate department for the sector.

A committee, chaired by the state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik, has been set up to reorganize the industrial sector in the state. The committee will come out with a blueprint for the optimum development of the MSME sector in the state. The Development Commissioner and secretaries of industries and textiles departments will be the members of the committee.

"The committee will examine the possibility of setting up a separate department for MSMEs in the state. States like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have constituted separate departments for MSMEs. We will be studying the functioning of the MSME department in these states”, said T Ramachandru, principal secretary (industries), Orissa government.