Uttarakhand sets up MSME department

The Uttarakhand government has decided to set up a separate department of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the hill state.

The new department is likely to benefit nearly 40,000 MSMEs, which have mushroomed in the state. “This is a unique experiment through which we are setting up a separate department of MSMEs, to strengthen industries, especially khadi and village industries,” said Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna.

The government has selected Principal Secretary Ranbir Singh to head the MSME department. “I have just taken over charge. I will see what important decisions can be taken to strengthen the new department,” said Singh.

Kishan Nath, additional secretary, industrial development, will assist him in the MSME department.

Though the decision to set up the MSME department was taken by the State Cabinet, its goals are not yet clear. Labour Minister Harish Chandra Durgapal has been entrusted with the responsibility of heading the MSME department.

“We will take all those steps which are beneficial for the MSME industry in our state. Since MSMEs have big potential to create jobs, our aim will be to get a handsome budgetary provision for the MSME department,” said Durgapal. The government would also focus on the remote hilly areas to set up new industries, he added.