The BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh Sunday announced a slew of incentives for the promotion of micro,small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state in a bid achieve a 12 per cent growth rate and additional job creation during 12th five year plan. The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the maiden MSME Convention held today on the eve of Global Investors Meet announced reservation of certain plots for MSMEs in the proposed 27 industrial estates, 24x7 power supply under the feeder separation scheme, exemption in the payment of export tax imposed by local civic bodies, cluster development programme.
Besides, a special programme for technology development was also announced for MSMEs and it would be totally funded by the state government. He declared initial allocation of Rs 10 crore for this purpose.
Chavan, who has reiterated his government's resolve to further put Madhya Pradesh on a fast track growth, also announced development of clusters exclusively for MSMEsnde. Besides, the vendor development programme would be launched ith the jointly with the chambers of commerce and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore. The government has allocated Rs 10 crore for thus purpose.
During today's conclave in all 113 MoUs withector proposed investments of Rs 670 crore in MSME sector were exchanged. These ventures are expect create 6,700 jobs, Chouhan informed.
Moreover, chief minister said a new scheme to promote young entrepreneurs especially in the rural areas would be implemented and they would be provided a continuous power supply from next year. "The government will make all efforts to improve quality and skill development in the MSME sector. A special grant of Rs 30 lakh will be provided to sector units under the thrust sector medium sector unit will get similar grant of Rs 12 lakh in A sector, Rs 18 lakh in B ector and Rs 30 lakh in C sector," he informed.
According to the chief minister, land acquisition would not be a serious problems for investors as nearly 20,000 hectare has already been acquired. "The government will also reserve part of land for MSME sector in the proposed 27 industrial estates. The government has proposed a comprehensive plan of Rs 3,000 crore for this purpose," he noted.
Chouhan reiterated the importance of MSME sector in the state achieving 12 per cent growth during 12 th plan. "Against the target of 7.6 per cent, Madhya Pradesh has clocked the growth rate of 10.20 per cent during 11th plan period. In the current 12 th plan, the state has set a 12 per cent growth rate and during the first year itself has achieved 11.98 per cent. Madhya Pradesh's agricultural growth rate of 18 per cent is highest across the country," he said.
Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh is no more a part of BIMARU state group and it does not any more recognize due to the presence f dacoits in the Chambal region. Instead, the state is being now seriously considered as the favoured investment destination.
Sidelights
*Industrialists at the MSME Convention here in no uncertain terms told the Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to be competitive with his partymate and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in a serious bid to attract investors. Ramesh Agarwal, chief of Bhaskar Group took a lead to call upon the government not to be defensive but be aggressive in increasing investment flow in the state. Agarwal's suggestion comes at a time when Chouhan has become another contender after Modi for the Prime Minister's post within the BJP which is currently passing through a rough patch.
*Both the chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and industrialists gathered at the conclave were singing a development tune. They were quite vocal to argue a feel good factor. Some of the participants did not mind to announce that Chouhan led government is certainly going to hit hattrick in the state assembly elections slated for 2013 alike Narendra Modi in Gujarat in the ongoing elections.
*From a BIMARU state to a fast growing state Madhya Pradesh come a long way. The state government has taken all the necessary efforts to show case Madhya Pradesh an the favoured investment destination through banners, display posters and signboards at roads approaching the Labh Ganga Convention Centre, a venue for the MSME Convention and Global Investors Meet.
