Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110752100600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

MSME Ministry plans information call centre

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises plans to launch an MSME Info Call Centre shortly.

Speaking at a meeting organised by a group of industrial associations here on Thursday, Dinesh Rai, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) said the call centre would have a toll free number. MSMEs from any part of the country would be able to get details for their queries by calling up the centre. The centre would be launched in a couple of months. The Ministry also proposed to come out with a new purchase policy.

He said, “We are trying to have a new purchase policy. It will be framed after consulting the major buyers.” It was proposed that with the new policy, all Government Departments would make at least 20 per cent of their purchases from the MSMEs. The industries should ensure quality and performance, he said.

The Ministry had also mooted an exit policy for the MSMEs. Mr. Rai said that the policy would help identify sick units that could be revived and help them revive. “Many of these units are prone to sickness. We have suggested a new mechanism for exit policy so that units that could be revived are revived,” he said.

Mr. Rai said that following the industry’s demand for a separate stock exchange for the MSMEs, the Ministry had initiated efforts. “We are seriously trying for a separate stock exchange for the MSMEs,” he said.