Panel in each district to fast-track MSME applications

LUCKNOW: The state government has decided to ease the process of setting up micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) units in Uttar Pradesh in order to promote industrialization and to ensure that

entrepreneurs do not have to run from pillar to post.

“All district magistrates, divisional commissioners and officials concerned with industry have been directed to provide all assistance to an entrepreneur who wants to set up an MSME unit,” said Navneet Sehgal, additional chief secretary, MSME department, of the state government.

Now, an eight-member committee under the district magistrate in every district will expedite all applications related with the setting up of a new MSME unit or a request for renewal of licence of an existing unit.

The state government’s decision comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh emerging as the fifth ranked state in the country to generate employment through Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in a Reserve Bank of India report released recently. Leaving behind states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab, Uttar Pradesh has retained fifth position, says an RBI report. The state government has issued directives for proper implementation of MSME Act 2020 as part of its ease of doing business policy in the state. All applications will have to be submitted at the office of district industries centre. This committee under the district magistrate will have eight members, including additional district magistrate, regional officer of the pollution control board and executive engineer of electricity department.

Other members of the committee will be the deputy or assistant labour commissioner, regional manager of the State Industrial Development Corporation, assistant director of Vidyut Surksha Nideshalaya and the district fire safety officer.

They have also been instructed to implement all provisions of MSME Act, 2020, he added. The Indian Industries Association (IIA) has welcomed the state government’s decision.

“There must be time-bound disposal of all applications related with setting up of an MSME unit or renewal of licence. The committee under the district magistrate will be more effective in addressing the issue,” said Manmohan Agarwal, senior vice president of IIA, an industry lobby group.