Nongpoh: Unemployment problem in Meghalaya could be solved through greater participation in the entrepreneurship process by leveraging on the start-up programmes.
This was the message conveyed by A.P.S War Nongbri, the joint director of commerce and industries, Tura as the chief guest of a daylong awareness programme under National SC/ST hub scheme here on Thursday.
The programme was held under the sponsorship of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise and under the aegis of the office of the General Manager, District Commerce and Industries Centre, Ri Bhoi district at Sajer Community Hall.
It was attended by more than 100 entrepreneurs of the district. Nongbri appreciated the untiring efforts rendered by the officers and staff of the office of commerce and industries, Meghalaya for conducting the various programme related with the scheme at different locations for the benefit of the unemployed.
He said the government provided many subsidies and schemes to promote, develop and uplift the socio-economic lives of the people. He also deliberated on the benefit of the scheme which would provide professional support to the Schedule Caste/ Schedule Tribe enterprises thereby enabling them to effectively participate in the public procurement process.
Nongbri also highlighted that the public procurement policy 2012 for MSME mandated that central government ministries, departments and public sector undertakings procure a minimum of 20 per cent of their annual value of goods and services from MSME.
“In addition, four percent of total procurement of goods and services shall be made from micro and small enterprises owned by the SC/ST entrepreneurs,” he said.
Furthermore, he informed that the scheme also includes other programmes such as skill development, vendor development, exhibition of the products etc.
“Entrepreneurs particularly the unemployed youths who do not have a source of income are provided loans at low interest through MSME so that they can become entrepreneurs and those who can get access to loans should take their benefits and they may be self-employed,” he said.
Brief presentations were delivered by several resource persons who spoke on different topics for the successful implementation of the scheme.
L.S Lamin, branch manager, SBI, RSETI, Umran spoke on the topic, “Financial assistance available for MSMEs” while inspectors of taxes, S.Myrthong and B.Lyngdoh delivered presentations on “Goods and Services Tax”.
Besides, presentations on “e-tendering and awareness on National SC/ST Hub Scheme”, “Benefits and schemes of cooperative societies” and “different schemes available for entrepreneurs” were also made by resource persons.
A couple of entrepreneurs also shared their success stories. The programme ended with an interaction between entrepreneurs and the resource persons.
