Members of the National Small-scale Industries Corporation felicitate Tapan Sikdar, Union minister of state for small industries. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Sept. 11: Union minister of state for small industries Tapan Sikdar today sought a status report from the state government to bail out the ailing small-scale units and facilitate setting up of new units. He also proposed to organise an exhibition in Jharkhand in 2-3 months to promote marketing of indigenous products.

Sikdar was here to get a first hand report on the status of SSIs and the progress made by National Small Scale Industries Corporation (NSIC) in reviving the sick units.

Later, he met chief minister Arjun Munda and requested him to submit a detailed report in a month so that necessary steps could be taken.

“I have ordered a fresh inquiry into the SSI scenario. I want to know about the total number of units, the strength of sick units, what type of assistance is required by the state for technical upgradation of these units and promotion of the products manufactured here. After that, I will hold a review meeting with the state government, representatives of SSI association and the financial institutions. Union small scale industries minister C.P. Thakur will also attend the meeting. The meeting will be held in Ranchi, so that everyone gets a fair opportunity to present their views,” he said.

“Recently, a section of SSIs engaged in the manufacture of defence products participated in an exhibition organised jointly by NSIC and the state government’s SSI association. More than 600 units took part in it. About 50 medium industries and five foreign units also attended it. If such exhibitions are held in Jharkhand as well, indigenous products will definitely get a boost,” he added.

Former chief minister Babulal Marandi requested him to take steps to strengthen the dairy and tassar (silk) sectors. “The sectors are not directly related to my department, but I can play a good advocate. I will soon take up the issue with the agriculture and textile ministries,” Sikdar assured.

NSIC in its report confirmed that the recovery of loans granted to the SSIs in the state was more than 92 per cent.

The entrepreneurs, however, complained that the interest rate was too high. NSIC granted loans at the rate of 13 per cent per annum, whereas for heavy industries, loans were available for 8 per cent per annum.

“This complaint has been made by several other states as well. We are looking into it. To facilitate credit flow, 417 new bank branches will be opened all over the country for the SSIs,” the minister said. Replying to another question, Sikdar said Mamata Banerjee’s arrogance would cost the West Bengal NDA dear.

He said since she has agreed to join the Cabinet, she should accept the portfolio allotted by the Prime Minister, instead of “tarnishing” the image of the government. “Ajit Panja and Sudip Bandhopadhyay could have been inducted in the Cabinet. With this, the representation of eastern region in the Cabinet would have gone up. But, Mamata is only hogging in media limelight,” he said.