Mahabir Prasad for proper infrastructure for micro enterprises

New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) Small Scale Industries Minister Mahabir Prasad today suggested that a proper infrastructure should be developed for the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises.

''We are in favour of micro enterprises and it is necessary that in India also the concept of micro, small and medium enterprises should be looked after jointly,'' Mr Prasad said at the Consultative Committee meeting attached to his Ministry.

''A proper infrastructure should be developed for this sector,'' he said and expressed the hope that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bill 2006, passed by Parliament recently, would soon become a law.

He said the concept of 'Enterprises' as against 'Industries' was increasing worldwide. Hence there was a need to have a policy framework for small enterprises so that they could develop into medium-level enterprises and be capable of adopting better technologies and be competitive in the present era of globalisation.

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (Amendment) Act 2005 also came up for discussion with Mr Prasad pointing to the need for suitably restructuring the Khadi and Village Industries Commission in view of decline in employment in the Khadi Sector and the stagnation in the sale of Khadi products.

The Minister invited suggestions from the members on various policies and programme related to micro, small and medium enterprises so that these could be expedited along with the development of agro and rural industries.

UNI YJ RA DB1844