Railways to Start Online Registration for MSMEs: RDSO

In its bid to ensure ease of doing business for MSMEs who wish to work with Indian Railways, soon there will be online registration process will for the same.

It was announced in a first of its kind major interaction of Research, Development and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Ministry of Railways  and SIDBI with industry.

The event “Indian Railways-SIDBI MSME  Vendor Meet’was organized at RDSO Complex, Lucknow, recently. SMERA was the co organiser of the programme.

The concept for the fast track for MSMEs participation in Railways Procurement System was laid by the  Railways Minister, Mr. Suresh Prabhu in at a recent meeting with industry representatives.

Mr.Md. Hussain, Director General (RDSO ) and Mr. J.S. Sondhi, Addl. Director General (RDSO) addressed the participants at the programme. Inviting the MSMEs to participate in railways procurement, they said that railways has taken initiatives for  promotion of MSMEs in Railways Procurement System and Railways is already procuring materials worth more than 25% from MSEs against mandatory target of 20% under Public Procurement Policy scheme of Ministry of MSME.

Mr. Chandra Shekher Thanvi , Chief General Manager  and  Mr Arup Kumar General Manager  of SIDBI in their address invited the MSMEs to supply quality products to Railways and said that SIDBI is ready to  provide financial assistance if MSMEs are interested to purchase latest technology based machines and testing equipment to enhance the quality and production , . SEMERA is the agency for rating the MSMEs.

Mr. K K Agarwal, Secretary General IIA Lucknow, appreciated the efforts made by RDSO and SIDBI for the promotion of MSMEs in Railways procurement system. He mentioned that large numbers of MSMEs members of  IIA and FISME are keen to supply the railways and they will be linked with RDSO and SIDBI for necessary support.

The programme was well attended by more than 150 MSME entrepreneurs who enthusiastically participated in the programme.

Railways and SIDBI plan to organise  more of such MSME linkage programmes all over India.