NONGPOH: In a bid to sensitise the potential and existing entrepreneurs on different aspects of lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) organised a one-day Townhall meeting on MSMEs at Rural Resource and Training Centre (RRTC) Hall Umran, Ri Bhoi District on Thursday.
BJ Kharshandy, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director, DRDA along with Anurag Asthana, General Manager, Officer-in-charge, RBI, Shillong, B Barma, BDO, Umsning, among others participated in the programme.
Anurag Asthana, in his address, spoke about various policy measures taken by RBI which included non-acceptance of collateral security in the case of loans up to Rs 10 lakh extended to units in the medium and small enterprise (MSE) sector, no levying of loan related ad-hoc service charges or inspection charges on priority sector loans up to Rs. 25,000 MSE loan.
He also informed that application for the credit limit or enhancement in the existing credit limit up to Rs 5 lakh should be disposed of within two weeks to facilitate the growth of MSMEs in the country.
The RBI Shillong had conducted a survey prior to gauge the entrepreneurial potential of various areas in Ri Bhoi District such as Umden & Umroi area for textile (embroidery and handloom), Nongrim Nongladew area for cane and bamboo handicraft whereas Nongpoh area for food processing and also post the interactions with various stakeholders involved in MSME finance, Asthana further informed.
BJ Kharshandy, in his inaugural speech, said that people living in rural areas are largely dependent on agriculture and other allied activities.
People face lack of support, guidance from government agencies and banks, he added.
He also mentioned that under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, SHGs and cluster which fall under the village organisation can come up with their individual activities and enterprises.
He also stressed on the need to have SHGs in every village for sustainable development.
