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The
Prime Minister had announced setting up of the Task Force in August, 2009
when representatives of prominent MSME associations had met him to highlight
their issues and concerns. Accordingly, the Task Force under Shri T.K.A.
Nair, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister was constituted on 2nd
September, 2009 to reflect on the issues raised by the associations and
formulate an agenda for action after discussions with all stakeholders. Its
members included Member, Planning Commission, Secretaries of concerned
Government Departments, Deputy Governor, RBI, Chairman and Managing
Director, SIDBI and representatives of MSME associations.
The report
provided a roadmap for the development and promotion of the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It recommended an agenda for immediate action to
provide relief and incentives to the MSMEs, especially in the aftermath of
the recent economic slowdown, accompanied by institutional changes and
detailing of programmes, to be achieved in a time bound manner. In addition,
it suggested setting up of appropriate legal and regulatory structures to
create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and growth of micro,
small and medium enterprises in the country.
Subsequently,
the Prime Minister’s Council on MSMEs was formed on 7th April,
2010 to lay down broad policy guidelines and review the development of the
MSME sector. The Council shall
meet once a year.
A steering
group has also been put into place comprising of Secretaries to the
Ministries of MSME, Finance, Labour etc. This steering group has already met
in April and reviewed the progress of implementation of the recommendations
of the Task Force.
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