Micro, Small Units Call for Revamp of APIIC, Industries Department
15 Dec 2024 1:40 AM IST
Entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh demand stronger government support and resources for micro and small enterprises to drive industrial growth and job creation. (Image: Facebook)
VIJAYAWADA: Representatives of AP’s Micro and Small enterprises have called for a revamp of the department of industries and also the state Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).
National president of the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of India, APK Reddy said, “There is a need to strengthen both the department of industries and APIIC in terms of manpower and style of functioning. They must be able to work efficiently for the benefit mainly of the young entrepreneurs to set up industrial units and to contribute for industrial growth and development in the state.”
Notably, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has given a call to every household in the state to produce an entrepreneur, who can provide employment and livelihood opportunities to others. The CM stated this during the launch of Swarna Andhra Vision-2047.
Citing this, the entrepreneurs from the micro and small enterprises say a first priority for this is to strengthen the industries department and the APIIC. Allegations of middlemen’s objectionable roles and massive corruption worsen the situations in these sectors.
They say that the department of industries is almost defunct with senior officers getting retired and the workforce being lined up through outsourcing mode. Such individuals are unlikely to show a commitment to fulfil the high ambitions of the state government.
This apart, the district industries centres that are led by general managers are not functioning on expected lines and keep complaining of a shortage of manpower. The District Industrial and Export Promotion Committee meetings are not being held on a regular basis.
These apart, the provision for ‘Extension of Time’ for setting up the industrial units and to initiate production is being mishandled, it is said.
So was the case with APIIC, wherein a good number of zonal managers heading the district units have retired and there have been no suitable replacement. A shortage of manpower plagues the corporation.
Issues like sanction of loans for setting up the units or to revive or expand the existing ones, marketing facilities to the products, an export policy and a host of other issues are to be addressed in right earnest.
The micro and small enterprises are eagerly looking for adequate budget allocations for their sustenance and to develop further.
Though an online procedure has been introduced for submission of applications vis-a-vis setting up units, or to expand or develop, or to close them. But, a lack of proper attention on the manual procedure is allegedly resulting in involvement of middlemen and corrupt practices to complete the procedures.
The micro and small enterprises are seeking the attention of the state government to depute a set of efficient and young workforce from other wings of the government in order to make the department of industries and APIIC work efficiently and enable these entities contribute their share for development of the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive survey is going on in the state to identify the micro and small enterprises and to know their current status. These enterprises mainly cover flour mills, sawmills, handlooms units, food processing units, spinning mills, oil mills, dal mills etc.
Citing this, the entrepreneurs from the micro and small enterprises say a first priority for this is to strengthen the industries department and the APIIC. Allegations of middlemen’s objectionable roles and massive corruption worsen the situations in these sectors.
They say that the department of industries is almost defunct with senior officers getting retired and the workforce being lined up through outsourcing mode. Such individuals are unlikely to show a commitment to fulfil the high ambitions of the state government.
This apart, the district industries centres that are led by general managers are not functioning on expected lines and keep complaining of a shortage of manpower. The District Industrial and Export Promotion Committee meetings are not being held on a regular basis.
These apart, the provision for ‘Extension of Time’ for setting up the industrial units and to initiate production is being mishandled, it is said.
So was the case with APIIC, wherein a good number of zonal managers heading the district units have retired and there have been no suitable replacement. A shortage of manpower plagues the corporation.
Issues like sanction of loans for setting up the units or to revive or expand the existing ones, marketing facilities to the products, an export policy and a host of other issues are to be addressed in right earnest.
The micro and small enterprises are eagerly looking for adequate budget allocations for their sustenance and to develop further.
Though an online procedure has been introduced for submission of applications vis-a-vis setting up units, or to expand or develop, or to close them. But, a lack of proper attention on the manual procedure is allegedly resulting in involvement of middlemen and corrupt practices to complete the procedures.
The micro and small enterprises are seeking the attention of the state government to depute a set of efficient and young workforce from other wings of the government in order to make the department of industries and APIIC work efficiently and enable these entities contribute their share for development of the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive survey is going on in the state to identify the micro and small enterprises and to know their current status. These enterprises mainly cover flour mills, sawmills, handlooms units, food processing units, spinning mills, oil mills, dal mills etc.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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