SRINAGAR, JANUARY 30: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)-Technology Development Centre, Extension Centre Srinagar has organized various training and awareness sessions under the scheme ‘Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) to build entrepreneurial culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mir Altaf Ahmad, Senior Consultant and In-charge of the Extension Centre, Srinagar analyzed the potential in youths of various districts in collaboration with respective officers of Deputy Commissioners and various heads of the districts. Awareness to become a service provider rather than seeker was well manifested among the youths and budding entrepreneurs.
In this regard, one training programme was conducted in collaboration with district administration Kulgam to empower a group of 25 ladies under food processing and packaging activity. Similarly, another Skill development programme for 25 youths in collaboration with district administration Bandipora through ITI Bandipora was held under the activity of Repair and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment and Computer Applications. Activities including demonstration and practical training were imparted to participants to get versatile knowledge followed by awareness on various schemes of MSME to start a new venture.
Besides one-week ‘Management Development Programme (MDP)’ was organized at DIC Pulwama and Budgam wherein capacity building training was provided to 25 industrial unitholders. The programme also aimed at improving the decision-making capabilities to result in higher productivity and profitability of their enterprises with latest industrial management practices.
Currently, two week’s ‘Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP)’ is being held at MSME – Technology Development Centre (PPDC), Extension Centre Srinagar to nurture the talent of unemployed youths and students by enlightening them on various aspects of setting up MSEs.
A two-day ‘Industrial Motivation Campaign’ programme was conducted in different districts of Kashmir for motivating the youths and entrepreneurs about the roles and schemes of Ministry of MSME. The Kashmir region was exposed to the activities of MSME – Technology Development Centre (PPDC) to avail utmost available benefits for the uplift of the people and society.
During these awareness programmes, Saheel Alaqband, Assistant Director, MSME Development Institute, Srinagar stated that Kashmir valley had an overwhelming experience about the various opportunities available and the schemes of Ministry of MSME. Dr. Ashwin Dhivakar, In-charge MSME – TDC (Workshop), Srinagar briefed about the need for product quality and discussed demand-based business set-up/enterprises.
The MSME Srinagar intends to expand the Extension Centres at various districts to involve artisans and common people to get various benefits through skill-based training and support to utilize high-end machinery. The process of setting up Extension Centre at Srinagar having project cost of Rs 20 crore is under active consideration to put the facilities like Incubation Hub, Intellectual Patent Facilitation Centre (IPFC), Workshops with CNC machinery.
Pertinently, MSME–Technology Development Centre, Extension Centre Srinagar, has been nominated as the nodal agency for the implementation of Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) to facilitate artisan community by the way of Common Facility Centre (CFC), Raw material Bank and Marketing support. The Centre in collaboration with Department of Handicrafts, J&K has identified 23 Clusters like Kangri, Willow wicker, Paper Mache etc, and the process to extend support under the scheme is underway.
Regarding skill development, more than 700 youths and budding entrepreneurs were given awareness and motivation through ‘Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programmes during the current year, so far.
Moreover, few skill development programmes on AUTOCAD, TALLY, Ms-Office has been provided at MSME Extension Centre, Sanat Nagar at a very nominal Course/Registration fee where about 60 participants have been trained.
