Category: MSME

Categories
MSME Startup

Foreign Firms Flouting MSME Tendering Norms, Highlights CEAI in a Letter to Nitin Gadkari

Ministry of MSME
Ministry of MSME (Photo Credit: PIB)

New Delhi, October 7: An engineering professionals body-the Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), in a letter to Nitin Gadkari, has alleged that foreign companies are flouting the MSME tendering norms.

The letter has drawn the attention of the government towards flouting of the MSME tendering norms by “the powerful foreign companies”. The body mentioned that the government has changed the tendering system to benefit the small and medium enterprises in the country by limiting tenders below Rs 200 crore for Indian companies only.

However, the provisions are being flouted by powerful foreign companies wherein they set up business operations in India by incorporating a company under Companies Act 2013 either as Joint Ventures or Wholly owned subsidiaries or a Liaison/Representative Office.

According to an IANS report, the body’s President highlighted that these entities operate as an Indian Company, duly complying with the provisions of the Indian Company Law and Indian tax laws. The current definition allows such companies to enjoy all benefits provided to Indian companies, especially the MSME’s.

Categories
MSME

MSME Sector to Grow and Contribute to Job Creation With the Help of Structural Reforms Taken by Modi Govt, Says Finance Ministry Report

Business in India | Representational Image Only (Photo Credits: Pexels)

New Delhi, October 6: The Finance Ministry on Monday said that the major structural reforms launched by the Modi government in agriculture markets, labour laws provide unparalleled opportunity for the MSME sector to grow and prosper. These reforms will in turn contribute to job creation in the primary and secondary sectors. A report by the Finance Ministry stated that the historic labour reforms will benefit MSMEs to increase employment, enhance labour productivity and thereby wages in MSMEs.

According to a report by PTI, the Finance Ministry said that important structural reforms that have been taken by the government to ease the risks posed by COVID-19 pandemic will strengthen India’s economic fundamentals and ensure long-term sustained growth. “The enabling policy environment and initiatives taken by all stakeholders to seize the available opportunities will actualise the growth potential of the Indian economy,” the monthly economic report prepared by the Economic Affairs Department of the Finance Ministry said.

The report further said that the sustained spread of the virus poses a downside risk to short-term and medium-term growth rate, adding that the government has strategically undertaken various important structural reforms, encompassing various sectors, to combat these risks. Meanwhile, the implementation of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ package and unlocking of the economy have ensured that economic recovery in India has gained momentum.

The PTI report adds that as on September 25, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 542.02 billion, equivalent to more than 13 months of imports. India”s probable growth path is visible in this assessment.

Categories
MSME

MSMEs Take Centre Stage This Festive Season 2020 as Over 1 Lakh Local Shops, Kiranas And Neighbourhood Stores Gear Up to Sell on Amazon

Amazon (Photo Credits: Twitter)

Bangalore, October 5: As India gets ready for the festive season, Amazon India on Sunday said that more than 1 lakh “Amazon-enabled” local shops, kiranas and neighbourhood stores will be serving customers this year. The company further mentioned that over 20,000 offline retailers, kiranas and local shops will be participating for the first time in the company’s biggest annual sale Great Indian Festival.

“This festive season we are focused on helping our sellers and other MSME partners grow their business and bounce back from the recent challenges…The integration of Amazon’s programs with 100,000+ ubiquitous neighbourhood stores – for selling online, to help customers buy online, to make deliveries and enable contactless payments – is a testament of the adaptability and inventiveness of Indian entrepreneurs,” said Manish Tiwary, VP – Amazon India.

The programme is among a string of initiatives by Amazon such as Amazon Easy (to help local entrepreneurs set up stores), I Have Space (for Kirana stores with additional storage space for Amazon packages and sufficient manpower to deliver them in two-three km radius of their stores), Amazon Pay Smart Stores (to enable digital storefront, contactless payments, and reward coupons to customers) etc., catering to micro and small business sellers.

Recently, digital payments startup for merchants BharatPe said that it is gearing up for loan disbursals ahead of the festive season as it expects MSME sector to revive soon. Even though we are in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and the total cases continue to rise

Categories
E-Commerce MSME

Flipkart Wholesale Expands Operations to 12 New Cities to Help Digitally Transform Retails, Kiranas, MSMEs

Flipkart. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@Flipkart)
Flipkart. (Photo Credit: Twitter/@Flipkart)

Bengaluru, September 25: E-Commerce firm Flipkart Wholesale on Thursday said that it expanded its operations to 12 new cities ahead of the festive season. With this, now the Flipkart will be operational in Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Mysuru, Chandigarh Tricity, Meerut, Agra, Jaipur, Thane-Bhiwandi-Ulhasnagar, Greater Mumbai, Vasai-Virar-Mira-Bhayanadar, Thane (Kalyan-Dombivli) and Thane (Navi Mumbai).

With an aim to digitally transform kiranas and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to help them grow faster, Flipkart is mulling to expand the fashion category in these cities. The e-commerce firm is also looking forward to retaining their customers and improve their profitability.

Issuing a statement, Senior Vice President and Head – Flipkart Wholesale — Adarsh Menon — said, “As we enter the festive season, we are excited to be scaling up our offerings across 12 cities, aiming to create more opportunities for MSMEs and Kiranas.” Adding more, he said, “From trendy Jaipuri Kurtis to evergreen Mysuru silk saris, we aim to help small businesses embrace the digital transformation and emerge as more robust businesses.”

Apart from retail, Flipkart Wholesale is also planning to expand into categories such as home and kitchen, and grocery. Through its expansion, Flipkart Wholesale claims customers will have access to easy credit facilities in partnership with leading banks and non-banking financial companies to manage cash flow. Earlier in September, Flipkart had launched Flipkart Wholesale’s operations and stated that the platform was available for fashion retailers, especially footwear and apparel, in Gurugram, Delhi and Bengaluru.

Categories
E-Commerce MSME Startup Strategy

Amazon India Helps Women Entrepreneurs, Artisans and Weavers to Double Their Sales in 10 Weeks Under ‘Stand for Handmade’ Initiative

Amazon India. (Photo Credit: Image grab)
Amazon India. (Photo Credit: Image grab)

Bengaluru, September 23: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon India came up with ‘Stand for Handmade’ initiative, to help over 10 lakh artisans and weavers and women entrepreneurs. On Monday, the e-commerce portal stated that customers from more than 12,000 pincodes in India purchased a product from the ‘Stand for Handmade’ store front. Due to this, artisans, weavers and women entrepreneurs were helped to double their sales in the 10-week period.

Amazon further added that the ‘Stand for Handmade’ initiative enabled sellers from Amazon Karigar — for weavers and artisans and Amazon Saheli — for women entrepreneurs — to register 3.2 times and 2.1 times growth. Adding more, it said that 32 sellers crossed Rs 1 lakh in sales during the 10-week period while two sellers crossed Rs 1 crore in sales.

Issuing a statement, Director of MSME and Seller Experience at Amazon India — Pranav Bhasin — said, “We are humbled by the response to this initiative as customers from more than 12,000 pincodes purchased a product from the specially-curated store front. With the festive season coming up, we remain focused on helping our sellers further accelerate and grow their business.”

Bhasin added that more than 200 new sellers joined the Karigar programme and benefited from 100 per cent SoA (sell on Amazon) fee waiver. Categories which witnessed the highest overall sales included apparel, grocery and home decor. Also, 508 Sambalpuri weaver families from Orissa were able to seller sarees than could span over 17,738 yards while more than 4,500 Pochampally weavers from 56 villages of Telangana have recovered and were able to resume their handloom weaving business.

Amazon said, “More than 5,200 weavers from Bengal are now back to weaving exquisite weaves on their looms and the lives of 200 Banarasi weavers were positively impacted through sales of handloom Dupattas and Sarees.” It added that more than 8 lakh artisans and weavers from Amazon Karigar program and more than 2.8 lakh women entrepreneurs from Amazon Saheli program benefited from a 100 per cent SoA fee waiver for 10 weeks.

Categories
MSME Startup

NTPC Power Plants to Offer Lands for Industrial Parks of MSMEs Under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Initiative

NTPC power plant. (Photo Credit: Facebook)
NTPC power plant. (Photo Credit: Facebook)

New Delhi, September 22: With an aim to boost to the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has thrown open a vast land bank within its power plants to Indian firms willing to set up industrial parks and manufacturing facilities.

The country’s largest power producer has also invited expression of interest (EoI) from companies and MSMEs for setting up energy-intensive manufacturing plants. The plants for which the EoI has been issued include bulk chemicals, geopolymer, cooling & heating solutions, aluminium, mineral processing (ceramics, tiles, pottery, brick, glass etc), metallurgical and metal industries (foundries, forging, alloys, heat treatment, steel rerolling, etc).

The NTPC in its statement had stated that the pilots would be set up in the NTPC Thermal Power plants at Solapur (Maharashtra), Kudgi (Karnataka) and Gadarwara (Madhya Pradesh). Adding more, the company statement said, “These industrial parks will be subjected to requisite approvals from respective state and central government. NTPC will process these approvals based on responses received in the EoI.”

Apart from this, NTPC’s power plants across the country have evolved into economic centres with robust infrastructure system in place. With this, NOTC is exploring ideas to improve utilisation of land within its plant locations for enhancing economic activity.

NTPC, though it initiatives, will also provide reliable electricity supply at competitive prices to industrial parks. Along with this, adequate water supply, accessibility through road and rail network, robust connectivity with internet lease lines, accessibility to the township, medical facilities and the local market would also be provided to the SMEs. However, NTPC will enter into a separate agreement with prospective entities for allotment of spaces.

Categories
MSME

Now MSMEs Can Get NOCs From Single Window & Electric Connection Upto 20 KW in 3 Days of Filing the Application in Yogi Aditynath’s Uttar Pradesh Govt

MSME
MSME (Photo Credits: Wikipedia)

Lucknow, September 22: Yogi Adityanath’s government has introduced measures to provide relief to small business owners in the state, who will no longer be required to run from department to department to acquire a No Objection Certificate to start their venture.

Under the state’s new MSME (Establishment and Operations) Act of 2020, MSMEs will get NOCs from a single window, and electricity connection of up to 20 KW within three days of filing the application. Till now, MSMEs would need to get 80 types of NOCs from 29 departments.

The new law was notified on Sunday, and it seeks to ease the process of opening up businesses in the state. According to the state government, there are a total of 90 lakh MSME units, registered and unregistered, in UP. Under the new law, the small business owners will just be required to approach the district-level nodal agency (DLNA), which will be established under the Act and have several state officials including the district magistrate (DM).

Categories
E-Commerce Legal MSME

KVIC’s Legal Action Forces Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal to Remove 160 Fake Khadi Products Online

KVIC. (Photo Credit: Image grab)
KVIC. (Photo Credit: Image grab)

New Delhi, September 20: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC) on Sunday informed that its firmness had forced e-commerce portals like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal and others to remove over 160 web links selling products in the brand name of ‘Khadi’. The new development comes days after KVIC served legal notices to over 1000 firms using the brand name ‘Khadi India’ to sell their products.

Issuing a statement, KVIC said, “These e-commerce portals were selling products like Khadi masks, herbals soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, herbal mehandi, jackets, kurta and many such products through different sellers using the brand name ‘Khadi’. This created a false impression among online buyers that these commodities were genuine ‘Khadi’ products. KVIC also stated that a majority of the products that have been removed were being sold by one Ayush E-Traders. This firm has confirmed to KVIC that it has removed 140 links for various products that were being sold as ‘Vagad’s Khadi Products’.”

Adding more, KVIC stated that there has been a steep rise in violation of Khadi trademark as the popularity of Khadi grew manifold in recent years. It added that a number of online sellers began selling random products in the name of Khadi. For the ease of online customers to buy genuine Khadi products, KVIC has launched it’s e-portal selling a range of 300 products online at www.kviconline.gov.in/khadimask.

KVIC recent action has resulted in shutting down a number of stores across the country that were selling fake Khadi products. KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said, “Legal notices have been issued to various firms essentially to safeguard the interest of Khadi artisans. This trademark violation has a direct bearing on the livelihood of our artisans who are making genuine handcrafted products.”

Earlier in August, KVIC had issued legal notices to two firms Khadi Essentials and Khadi Global for unauthorizedly selling cosmetics and other products in the name of Khadi. The KVIC had also sought damages to the tune of Rs 500 crore from Fabindia which is pending before the Bombay High Court.

Categories
MSME

Narendra Modi Birthday 2020: Khadi and Village Industries Commission Creates 1500 Employment in 10 Cities on ‘Sewa Diwas’ to Celebrate PM’s Special Day

SFURTI Cluster of 500 artisans for making hand-knotted carpets in Prayagraj (Image Credit: PIB)
SFURTI Cluster of 500 artisans for making hand-knotted carpets in Prayagraj (Image Credit: PIB)

New Delhi, September 18: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Thursday extended the benefits of various employment generation schemes to nearly 1500 persons in 10 Indian cities to celebrate ‘Sewa Diwas’. The benefits were extended to mark the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The KVIC organised 14 programs to expand the ambit of its welfare projects to create local employment. The KVIC also distributed 6 innovative cycle-mounted tea/coffee selling units under project DigniTEA in New Delhi. The cycle-mounted tea/coffee selling units were distributed to unemployed local youths with an aim to enable the tea-sellers to earn a respectable livelihood.

Apart from this, Union Minister of State for MSME Pratap Chandra Sarangi inaugurated an SFURTI cluster of 500 artisans for making hand-knotted carpets in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Among other programmes, KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena launched six different programs in Varanasi that include the first Footwear Training cum Production Center in Varanasi for leather artisans (Mochi) in collaboration with Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI).

He also distributed electric potter wheels to 300 Kumhar families under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana and 200 bee boxes to 20 farmers families under Honey Mission. The KVIC chairman also distributed 6 hand-operated Agarbatti making machines at Sewapuri Block in Varanasi under the Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission.

KVIC chairman said sustainable development though local employment generation has been the key focus of KVIC which is aligned with the Prime Minister’s commitment of ‘Job to Every Hand’ (Har Hath Me Kaam). “It is the inspiration and appeal of the Hon’ble Prime Minister that has taken Khadi to a new height. We are hopeful that he will continue to lead Khadi as its biggest brand ambassador,” Saxena said.

Categories
MSME

MSME Revival: Nitin Gadkari Lists Steps Taken to Re-Boost Sector Hit by COVID-19 Pandemic

Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari. (Photo Credit: PIB)
Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari. (Photo Credit: PIB)

New Delhi, September 17: With the country’s micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector badly affected due to COVID-19 pandemic, Union Minister of MSME Nitin Gadkari stated that the government had implemented various schemes and programmes for growth and development of the sector under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Among the major schemes to revive the ailing MSME sector include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry & Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE), Interest Subvention Scheme for Incremental Credit to MSMEs, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development Programme (MSE-CDP), Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS).

Under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Union Ministry had made arrangements for:

a) Rs 20,000 crore Subordinate Debt for MSMEs.

b) Rs 3 lakh crores Collateral free Automatic Loans for business, including MSMEs.

c) Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through MSME Fund of Funds.

d) Newly revised criteria for the classification of MSMEs.

e) New Registration of MSMEs through ‘Udyam Registration’ for Ease of Doing Business.

e) No global tenders for procurement up to Rs. 200 crores, this will help MSME.

Apart from this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched an online Portal ‘Champions’ on June 1, 2020, aiming to cover aspects of e-governance including grievance redressal and handholding of MSMEs. Through the portal, total 18,723 grievances have been redressed up to September 9, 2020, said Gadkari in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.