Soon, a separate Ministry for small-scale industries, says Deputy Chief Minister

Dabaspet: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently said that a separate ministry would be created for small-scale industries as per the directions of the Chief Minister.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event organised to inaugurate an exhibition by KASSIA, he said, “There is a rule that 20 percent of the grants from the KIADB must be earmarked for small-scale industries. I will discuss this with Industries Minister M B Patil and in the Cabinet meeting. We need to focus more on small-scale industries.”

“I am aware of the condition of small-scale industries and I have seen the effort they put in to generate employment. KASSIA needs to put more pressure on the government to do more for them. The Centre has announced that banks will lend more to small-scale industries, but in reality they are not doing so. Banks are biased towards more established businesses,” he said.

Speaking to industrialists from the sector, he said: “You have raised the human resource issues facing small-scale industries. I have given necessary directions to the Labour Minister after discussing the issue with the Chief Minister. You have to meet the Ministers and explain your issues clearly to them. Else, they won’t understand what you are going through. Some of them think only IT/BT is an industry,” he said candidly.

“Many other states have very attractive policies for small-scale industries but they don’t have quality talent. We are starting a new training centre for small-scale industries. I have come here to tell you that our government is with you and KASSIA,” Shivakumar added.