Will coordinate with concerned ministries to solve raw material price issue – MSME Minister 

Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union MSME Minister who was in Coimbatore on Thursday assured to convey the issues faced by the industry due to raw materials’ price-hike with the concerned ministers, and to share the solutions suggested by the industry and MSME representatives for the same with them.

MSME Minister Jitan said this while interacting with the press and media at the sidelines of an Industry Interaction Meeting facilitated by Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA), here.

As the raw material price-hike issue has been seriously affecting the MSMEs in the country, especially in Coimbatore where more than 2 lakh MSMEs exist, a suggestion from the industry stakeholders to deploy a scheme in Coimbatore similar to the raw material assistance scheme, like it has been done in Chennai through National Small Industries Corporation.

The Minister said that it is a policy matter and one department alone cannot do that. But he assured to convey and discuss this with Industry, Finance and Steel Ministry.

When he was asked whether he will recommend the finance or commerce ministry for deduction of import duty on raw materials, he said for this a coordination with various ministries is required, and he himself will coordinate with the ministers about this request, so that it may help in controlling the raw materials price-hike, and eventually benefit the industry.

Earlier while interacting with the MSMEs at the interaction meeting, the Minister said that he will be a bridge between the MSME Representatives and other ministries, and said that he will facilitate a meeting between the other concerned ministries and industry between March 9 and 15th.

During this period, all ministers will be in Delhi as both Houses of Parliament will gather for the second phase of budget session on March 9. The MSME Minister said he will support the industry representatives to meet the ministers and submit their recommendations.

Earlier, CODISSIA President Karthikeyan submitted a memorandum highlighting the list of requests from the association’s members. Various other associations also handed over the memorandums to the minister and appealed him to support with the requests.

At the occasion, the minister also launched CODISSIA’s MSME Handbook, Industry-Academia initiative and Coimbatore MSME Database.