MPs support Bill to promote small units

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) Members in the Lok Sabha, cutting across party lines, today supported the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bill as a measure that would address the problems of small and medium units and make them competitive in the WTO regime.

Initiating discussion on the Bill, piloted by Minister for Agro Industries Mahavir Prasad, Mr V P Singh (BJP) said the small and medium industries sector had remained neglected since the last three to four decades. While previously certain products were reserved for small and medium sectors, today there was no such reservation and even big industries could enter the areas earmkarked for them.

If India has to achieve a GDP growth rate of 8 per cent and if the country has to become a super economic power by 2025, ranking among the top three countries, small and medium industries will have to be encouraged, he said.

Mr A R Chowdhury (Cong) supported the Bill which, he said, had come after a long dilly-dallying. It would give a statutory recognition to small and medium industries, he added.

This sector had been demanding recognition since long and what had been promised by the Congress-led UPA Government had been translated into action.

Mr Chowdhury said in the changing scenario of cut-throat competition, small and medium sector faced many challenges, this landmark legislation would go a long way in helping the small and medium industries. The Bill had given a legal framework to this sector, he said.

Mr Sujan Chakraborty (CPI-M) supported the Bill saying it would give scope to develop small and medium industries sector which is the second largest employment generating sector after agriculture.

He called for proper representation to the trade union in the proposed Development Board and suggested formation of district level coordination councils. He wanted the problems of technological upgradation, finance and marketing, facing this sector, to be attended to.

Mr Shailendra Kumar (SP) supported the Bill saying it would go a long way in generating employment and welcomed the provision to give financial assistance to such units. He wanted proper representation to be given in the proposed development board which should meet frequently.

UNI YS MSJ HT1625