President unveils Solar Charkha Mission, recruitment portal for MSMEs

India has around 6.5 crore MSMEs which have created over 11 crore job opportunities 

President Ram Nath Kovind launched the Solar Charkha Mission covering artisans in 50 identified clusters and the Sampark portal—a digital platform to connect five lakh job seekers with recruiters—to mark the important economic role played by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Appreciating the role of the MSME sector in leveraging the demographic dividend of the country and promoting inclusive growth in rural and backward areas, Ram Nath Kovind pointed out that the sector accounted for around 60 per cent employment in India.

“According to a survey, there are about 6.5 crore MSMEs in India, which have created over 11 crore job opportunities. Such enterprises have registered over 10 per cent growth in recent times, which is much more compared to large enterprises,” said the President while inaugurating the Udyam Sangam-2018.

Last year, the UN General Assembly had declared June 27 as MSME Day, recognising the importance of the sector in achieving sustainable development goals and in promoting innovation, creativity and sustainable work for all.

The Solar Charkha Mission will entail a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two years for 50 clusters, and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. The Mission will generate employment in rural areas and contribute to the green economy.

The digital platform, Sampark portal, will be useful in creating a skill pool of workers and connecting trained youth with job opportunities, according to the President.

The President was hopeful that the Government would look for new solutions so that micro and small entrepreneurs may be able to occupy a space at the global level.

Referring to the Udyam Sakhi portal of the MSME Ministry, President Kovind said that it will empower women and weaker sections by providing training to 80 lakh women.

The President appreciated the work done by Arunachalam Muruganatham in promoting women’s hygiene by manufacturing low-cost sanitary napkins. He also lauded the fact that a film documenting his struggle (Padman) has been made. He said that many more such films documenting the contributions of innovative MSMEs should be produced.