Year 2020 Marked Pathbreaking Initiatives by MSME Sector

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has undertaken several path-breaking/ important initiatives during the year 2020. These include putting in place financial support mechanism through Fund of Funds, broadening definition of MSMEs, introducing IT based Champions platform to provide solutions to issues of MSMEs, encouraging entrepreneurship amongst khadi & village industries and to promote self-employment. The following paras provide glimpse of various initiatives of the Ministry during 2020:

1. AtmaNirbhar Bharat Initiatives:

i)    Distressed Assets Fund -Subordinate Debt for MSMEs- Credit Guarantee Scheme- 

      Sub Debt (CGSSD):

• With Government of India assistance of Rs. 4000 crore, provisioning of Rs. 20,000 crore as subordinate debt to provide equity support to the stressed MSMEs has been launched on 24.06.2020. During the current year, upto November 2020, guarantee to 121 borrowers amounting to Rs. 12.49 crore have been extended.

ii)  Fund of Funds Scheme for MSMEs:

• The Guidelines of Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund (Fund of Funds for MSMEs Scheme) with a corpus of Rs 10,000 crore, which will leverage equity infusion of Rs. 50,000 crore for MSMEs has been issued on 5^th August 2020. For anchoring the Mother Fund, NSIC Venture Capital Fund Ltd. (NVCL), subsidiary company of National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC) has been incorporated under The Companies Act 2013. Ministry is taking further steps for operationalization of the SRI Fund.

2. New MSME Definition & Udyam Registration:

• Ministry of MSME, vide notification no. S.O.2119 (E) dated 26.06.2020, has notified a composite criteria of classification of MSMEs based on investment in plant & machinery/equipment and turnover of MSMEs. The guidelines regarding composite criteria of classification of MSMEs is available on link: https://msme.gov.in/sites/default/files/IndianGazzate.pdf.
• Based on composite criteria of classification, Ministry has replaced the erstwhile process of filing of Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum, by 'Udyam' registration on a portal developed by the Ministry. Now the existing and prospective entrepreneurs may file their 'Udyam' registration online on portal: https://udyamregistration.gov.in.
• As a result of change in classification criteria, an enterprise shall be classified as a micro, small or medium enterprise on the basis of the following criteria, namely:-

(i) a micro enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed one crore rupees and turnover does not exceed five crore rupees;

(ii) a small enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed ten crore rupees and turnover does not exceed fifty crore rupees; and

(iii) a medium enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed fifty crore rupees and turnover does not exceed two hundred and fifty crore rupees.

• The new classification has come into effect from 1^st July, 2020. This has been done in order to be realistic with time and to establish an objective system of classification and to provide ease of doing business. The earlier criterion of classification of MSMEs under MSMED Act, 2006 was based on investment in plant and machinery/equipment. Since then, the economy has undergone significant changes. It was different for manufacturing and services units and was also very low in terms of financial limits.
• The new criteria is expected to bring about many benefits that will aid MSMEs to grow in size. It has also been decided that the turnover with respect to exports will not be counted in the limits of turnover for any category of MSME units whether micro, small or medium. This is yet another step towards ease of doing business. This will help in attracting investments and creating more jobs in the MSME sector. The change in criteria of classifying the MSMEs is set to offer major relief to the exporters.

3. Champions Portal :

• CHAMPIONS portal launched by Prime Minister on 1^st June, 2020, is an ICT based technology system for making the smaller units big by helping and handholding them. The portal is not only helping MSMEs in the present situation, but also providing guidance to grab the new business opportunities.

• A network of control rooms is created in a Hub & Spoke Model where hub is situated in the office of Ministry of MSME, New Delhi while the spokes are located in the States in various offices and institutions of Ministry.
• Central Control Room in New Delhi and 68 State level control rooms are created which have been providing every possible support on a local level to MSMEs in the areas including finance, market access, technology upgradation, skill development etc.
• With a view to resolve the grievances pertaining to other Govt. Departments/Ministries in a fast track manner, Ministry is in process of on boarding other Government entities. 16 Ministries/ Departments and 25 State Governments have already on boarded on the platform.
• 54 Banks/FIs/RRBs/SFCs have been on-boarded on the portal with 19 banks belonging to private sector to address the queries related to Credit in a fast track manner.
• 52 CPSEs have appointed nodal officer for Champions portal to resolve the queries on fast track mode.
• GeM has also been onboarded on the portal with the appointment of a nodal officer.
• More than 750 FAQs have been already uploaded on the portal to help the MSME units for better understanding of schemes related to MSMEs.

• Integration with various portals such as MSME Samadhaan, Udyam Registration, etc.

• Provision to capture ideas and suggestions received from MSMEs.
• Upto 15^th December 2020, more than 25,000 queries/grievances have been received on the portal and more than 24,550 queries i.e. approximately 98% have been responded while around 450 queries are in process to be resolved.
• The aforesaid grievances have been segregated in different categories i.e. MSME Schemes/UAM /Udyam Registration/Definition of MSME, finance, related to MSME-DI & DC-MSME offices, new schemes announced under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, public procurement policy, testing and quality centers, etc. for easy identification and better resolution.

Rs 10000 crore Fund of Funds Scheme Launched to leverage equity infusion of Rs 50000 crore

MSME definition broadened to enable them grow bigger; registration made simple through Udhyam

Champions Portal based on ICT operationalised to help MSMEs utilise opportunities

4. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP):

• PMEGP is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by assisting traditional artisans and unemployed youth in rural as well as urban areas. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal agency at the national level. At the State/district level, State offices of KVIC, Coir Board, KVIBs and District Industry Centers (DIC) are the implementing agencies.
• PMEGP was launched in 2008-09, a total of about 6.25 lakh micro enterprises have been assisted with a margin money subsidy of Rs 14,500 crore providing employment to an estimated 53 lakh persons since inception till 30.09.2020. About 80% of the units assisted are in rural areas and about 50% units are owned by SC, ST and women categories.

• During the period January 2020 to 30^th November 2020, 60,211 micro enterprises have been assisted with margin money subsidy of Rs. 1743.84 crore generating employment for about 4.81 lakh persons.

Recent initiatives:-

• Scheme process has been simplified by discontinuing the role of District Level Task Force Committee (DLTFC) in selection of applications, to speed up selection and setting of units under PMEGP on Score Card model.

• Provision is made for engaging marketing and technical experts in all States for providing handholding and mentoring to PMEGP beneficiaries.
• Online Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) training portal has been introduced and beneficiaries are being encouraged to take on-line EDP training in prevailing Covid19 conditions.
• Diversification of products by PMEGP units has been permitted to increase the economic viability of the units according to market needs and the prevailing Covid19 circumstances.
• A geo-tagging portal namely www.geotag.kvic.gov.in is prepared and is being put into operation.  All the micro-enterprises setup under PMEGP will be Geo-mapped, facilitating easy location and monitoring of units.

5. ‘Credit Link Capital Subsidy’ component under Credit Linked Capital Subsidy-Technology Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS):

• During the period January 2020 to 30^th November 2020, about 7500 MSEs have been benefited by way of releasing of Rs. 540 crore approximately.

6. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE):

• During the period January 2020 to 30^th November 2020, a total of 8,99,377 guarantees have been approved, these guarantees involved an amount of Rs. 40,178.35 crore.

7. Interest Subvention Scheme for Incremental Credit to MSMEs- 2018:

• During the period January 2020 to 30^th November 2020, a total of 11,15,364 borrowers have been benefited by releasing an amount of Rs. 337.32 crore.

8. Cluster Development Programme:

• 62 New Projects, with total project cost of Rs. 556.58 crore and GoI grant of Rs. 387.24 crore, have been given final approval during the period January 2020 to October 2020. Out of these approved projects, 32 projects are for setting up of Common Facility Centers (CFCs) in the States of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Telangana etc. The remaining 30 projects are for Infrastructure Development (ID) of Industrial Estates in the States of Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu etc.
• 7 On-going Projects have been completed during the period January 2020 to October 2020. The CFCs which have been set up are Cashew Processing Cluster, Kumta, Uttar kannada, Karnataka; Cotton Fabric Cluster, Hathkangle, Kolhapur, Maharashtra and Pharmaceutical Cluster, Cuttack, Odisha. 4 Infrastructure Development Projects have also been commissioned.

9. SFURTI Clusters:

• Under the Scheme of Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), from the year 2015 to 30^th November 2020, 317 clusters have been approved with GoI grant worth Rs. 736.67 crore that will benefit about 1.88 lakh artisans. 65 of these clusters are approved in North Eastern Region. 78 of 317 clusters are functional, out of which 55 became functional in 2019-20.
• During the period January 2020 to November 2020, 124 SFURTI cluster proposals have been approved.

10. Technology Centres/Tool Rooms:

Achievements of 18 MSME Technology Centres (TCs) during the period January 2020 to 25^th   November 2020 are listed below.

• 18 Technology Centres located across the country have trained 1,65,409 trainees and assisted 28,226 units.

• The Council of leather Exports presented the Award at the Inaugural function of 53^rd Leather Research-Industry Get-Together (LERIG) 2020 which was held on 28^th January 2020. Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), Agra bagged 5 awards (First Prize) in different categories. CFTI Chennai received 1 award (first prize) in Best Shoe Design Ladies and Trendy Category.

Developing Import Substitute or assistance in development of Import Substitute (as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative):-

• Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar has developed and manufactured various parts like Crimping Dies, Procar needle parts, Coronary connectors used for Robo surgery for M/s Robosurge Medtech Pvt. Ltd. Vizag. Needle part is an Import substitute (being imported from China).

• CTTC Bhubaneswar has also developed some parts of Hydraulic System Filters for Tejas Aircraft (Indian single-engine, fourth-generation, multirole light fighter Aircraft).

• Indo Danish Tool Room (IDTR), Jamshedpur has developed following Parts:-

a) Japanese Ultimate Quick Changer (JUQC) Mechanism which is used in continuous casting process in Steel industries.

b) AL-90 Slide Gate Mechanism used at a temperature of 1550°C to control the flow of molten steel from ladle to Tundish in steel plant. It is assembled and being tested. This will be installed in the largest ladle of 350T capacity in JSW Dolvi, Maharashtra.

c) Auto coupler of Argon gas injector through reverse engineering for Tata Steel Ltd. It was being imported from DMG Germany (a manufacturer of machine tools).

d) Refractory Handling Fixture (Import Substitute) for Tata Refractories Ltd. The fixture will be used for replacement of Refractory Nozzle from AL80 Slide Gate Mechanism which works at more than 1500°C.

• Indo German Tool Room (IGTR), Indore has successfully manufactured 14-Cavity body mould (Import Substitute) for 360ml IV fluid bottle for M/s Euro life, Roorkee.
• Central Tool Room (CTR) Ludhiana has assisted Local MSME Units by providing testing lab facility for identification of material and mechanical properties of Textile machinery part and knitting machinery parts (Import Substitute).

For Covid-19 related, MSME TCs have developed, manufactured various components/products and shared these with MSMEs for domestic/indigenous production and marketing. Details are as follows:

• Some parts of PPE Kit. Apart from this, MSME-TC, Meerut also has NABL Accredited Testing facilities for PPE kits testing.
• Some parts of Corona Testing Kit. This kit is an indigenous machine for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing for COVID 19.

• Automatic sanitizer machines/ full body sanitizer tunnels/ UV (Ultra Violet) Sensitization equipment for hand sanitization/ UV Disinfector Tower – for sanitization of office rooms and class rooms/ UV Sanitization Wooden Box for Files/ Alcohol based hand Sanitizer along with Testing Facility at MSME-TC, Kannauj/ Dispenser units for hand sanitization / Safety Goggles/ Face shield/ IR (Infra Red) Thermometer/ Medical Gowns/ Sanitizer Bottle Pump (7 components)/ Prototype developed for Plasma Activated Ozone Sanitizer for the use of hand sanitization/ Prototype of Pulse Oxy Meter under development/ Non-Invasive CPAP type Ventilator Machine etc.
• Electronics Service & Training Centre (ESTC), Ramnagar’s Innovative Product UV Sanitization Wooden Box being listed on https://www.agnii.gov.in/innovation/uv-sanitization-box Agnii (Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations) - AGNIi Mission– a flagship initiative under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, and one of nine technology Missions under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)
• Many Webinars have been organized by most of the TCs as per need of the industry on topics like, Transitioning from Face to Face to Online Teaching, Prioritization and Methodologies to Kick Start the Industry Post COVID-19 Pandemic, Preparedness for re-opening of Shoe manufacturing unit etc. for MSMEs, Startups, Students, Academia, Faculty & Industry.

11. Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP):

• Looking at the successful functioning of the existing Technology Centres (TCs) and with a view to expand and upgrade the network of Technology Centres (Tool Rooms and Technology Development Centres) in the country, Ministry of MSME launched the Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP) at an estimated Projected cost of Rs 2200 crore to establish 15 new Technology Centres (TCs) and upgrade existing TCs across the country.

• TCSP has been conceptualized to create innovative eco-system for the MSMEs in the country.

• The implementation of the programme commenced from 15^th January 2015.

• Construction work contract signed for 13 new TCs (Rohtak, Bhiwadi, Baddi, Bengaluru, Durg, Puducherry, Vishakhapatnam, Sitarganj, Bhopal, Imphal, Ernakulam, Greater Noida and Kanpur) out of total 15 new TCs. Civil work is at advanced stage at most of these TCs.
• Construction works of three TCs at Bhiwadi, Pudi and Bhopal have been completed. Construction work for two more TCs at Rohtak and Puducherry are expected to be completed by December 2020, additional eight TCs are expected to be completed by May 2021.

• New Technology Centre at Bhiwadi was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Union Minister of MSME and Road Transport & Highways, on 31^st August, 2020.
• Training programmes have also been started at 11 New TCs and 1824 persons have already been trained during the period January, 2020 to November, 2020.
• AICTE approval to run long term courses has been received at six TCs at Bhiwadi, Bhopal, Durg, Rohtak, Pudi and Baddi.

12. Technology Centres/ Extension Centres (TCEC):

• To augment the network of 18 existing Technology Centres, and 15 new Technology Centres being established under World Bank assisted Technology Centre Systems Programme (TCSP), a new scheme, "Establishment of new Technology Centres / Extension Centres", was announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 2^nd November, 2018 as part of the 12 point outreach programme for MSMEs.
• The scheme envisages establishing 20 Technology Centres (TCs) and 100 Extension Centres (ECs) at an estimated cost of Rs 6000 crore to enhance outreach of TCs/ECs throughout the country. These TCs/ECs provide various services like technology support, skilling, incubation and consultancy to MSMEs and skill seekers leading to enhancement in employability of the skill seekers, competitiveness of MSMEs and   creation of new MSMEs in the Country.

• During the period January 2020 to October 2020, 13 Extension Centres out of 22 Extension Centres (which were approved for establishment during FY 2019-20) have started training activities and trained 10,240 trainees. List of 22 Extension Centres are given below.

• In addition, for establishment of 20 Technology Centres, locations have been finalized. While land at Saha in Ambala and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir is already in possession of the Ministry, land at Rourkela, Bokaro, Warangal, Coimbatore and Jabalpur has also been finalized and is in process of transfer by the respective State Governments.

13. Credit Linked Capital Subsidy - Technology Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS):

Achievements under the CLCS-TUS schemes during the period January 2020 to November 2020 are listed below.

14. Procurement and Marketing Support:

• Focusing is being made on virtual trade fairs to increase e-market linkages.

• Ministry of MSME is planning to establish permanent Exhibition centers in the premises of MSME-Development Institutes for wider market accessibility in consultation with India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO).
• Proposals for workshops/training programmes on packaging of handicrafts and toys in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh have been approved to expand the marketing possibilities for Artisans and Entrepreneurs.

15. Public Procurement Policy for MSEs Order, 2012:

• All Central Government Ministries/ Departments and CPSEs are required to procure 25% of their annual requirements of goods and services from MSEs including 4% from MSEs owned by SC/ST and 3% from MSEs owned by women entrepreneurs under the public procurement policy.

• The progress of procurements from MSEs is regularly monitored through MSME-SAMBANDH portal. Procurement from MSEs (as on 12^th November, 2020) (during the period January, 2020 to October, 2020) is Rs. 25,068.38 crore which is 33.30% of total procurement and 1,14,424 MSEs have been benefitted. We have over achieved the target minimum of 25 percent, as set in November, 2018.
• To enhance the scope of procurement from MSEs, steps have been taken by the Ministry for mobilizing MSEs for onboarding themselves on GeM portal for supply of goods and services from MSEs.

16. GeM- Government e-Marketplace:

• Registration of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on GeM as on 03.12.2020: 3,47,497
• 57.60 % of orders value on GeM portal is from MSEs.
• GeM and TReDS platforms have been integrated.
• UAM Portal has been replaced by Udyam registration Portal w.e.f. 01.07.2020. Udyam Registration Portal has facility through which an entrepreneur can opt for linking itself with Government e-market (GeM) place by selecting an option on Udyam Portal. The enterprise will be linked to GeM portal and flow of information will start between these two portals. With this facility, MSEs can link themselves with the Government’s procurement system and can participate in Government’s mandatory procurement programme from MSEs.

17.  Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP):

• More than Rs. 63.6045 crore sanctioned for organising different skill development programmes throughout the country through State Governments agencies/Industry Associations/ Social Enterprises/Government Corporations.

• 947 programs have been conducted during the period January 2020 to November 2020.

18. Promotion of MSMEs in North Eastern Region (NER) and Sikkim:

• The Project Approval and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) has approved 12 projects during the period January 2020 to November 2020 with a total project cost of  Rs. 90.40 crore having Rs. 58.75 crore as Government of India contribution.
• Out of these 12 projects, 8 projects are for development of Industrial Estates at Assam, Mizoram and Sikkim. 4 projects are for setting up of Technology Centres, 2 at Sikkim and 1 at Nagaland. Total 2 projects having Government of India contribution of Rs. 2 crore has been completed under the scheme.

• 1 International training programme has been organized at Singapore for 24 officers under capacity building of officers engaged in promotion of MSMEs in NER and Sikkim.

19. National Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Hub (NSSH):

Interventions undertaken under National SC-ST Hub and the achievements during the period January 2020 to November 2020 include the following:

• A sum of Rs. 56.22 crore has been released to the 532 SC/ST Micro/ Small enterprises under the Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (SCLCSS) of NSSH.
• 9,240 SC/ST candidates have been provided capacity building skill / entrepreneurship development training in various sectors through 40 autonomous training institutes across India.
• 3422 sector-specific toolkits have been distributed to SC/ST candidates successfully trained under the capacity building training programmes.
• 2795 SC/ST MSEs have availed subsidy on membership fee of B2B Portal “MSME Mart”.

• 399 SC/ST MSEs have availed subsidy for registrations under Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS).

20. Popularising Khadi and Empowering Village Industries:

New Products launched by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC):

• Khadi Rumal: Rehabilitating the women artisans of militancy affected Nagrota of J&K, KVIC started manufacturing centers of Khadi Rumal and the same will be sold through Paytm Mall and other sales outlets.

• Bamboo Bottles, Sanitary Napkin and Cow Dung Soap: Bamboo Bottles, Sanitary Napkin, Cow Dung Soap, made by artisans using solar charkha have been launched for sale at Khadi India.

• After execution of MoU with Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), KVIC has started supply of Mustard Oil to ITBP. Agreement has also been made with ITBP for supply of Cotton Durrie. KVIC has started supply of different consumable items, like Aachar, Morobba, Honey, Papad, Agarbatti etc. to Central Police Canteens (CPC).

• Considering the need of the Nation to fight against COVID-19 pandemic, KVIC had initiated to manufacture Khadi Mask, made from cotton Khadi and silk Khadi. With this initiative, in one side rural artisans got the opportunity of getting more employment during COVID-19 and in other side all citizens have also got the opportunity of fighting against COVID-19 by using reusable and washable Khadi mask at bare minimum price. To make the mask widely available on PAN India basis, besides distributing the same through District Administrations, KVIC had supplied the mask to different Government offices and make it available through GeM portal and online sale for end-users. KVIC had also supplied more than 12 lakhs Khadi mask to Indian Red Cross Society.

• KVIC had opened Sales Outlet at Ekta Mall, Kevadia, near Statue of Unity to showcase the Khadi and Village Industries products to all International and National tourists.

• Considering the need of present generation, KVIC had started online selling of all KVI products. Now KVI products are available to every Indian’s door step through www.kviconline.gov.in and www.ekhadiindia.com. Further to facilitate customers to make online payment at “Khadi India” “Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans”,  E-wallet Payment system has also been made available through Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans (KGB), New Delhi and Mumbai.

• KVIC participated in “Spring Fair 2020” at Birmingham in UK during 2^nd to 6^th February 2020 with KVI institutions/units and displayed their exportable products. Very encouraging response was received in this Exhibition from customers and gave good platform to interact with various other market players.

• KVIC also participated in International exhibition in FERIA INDIA- India Show 2020 organized by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India, with support of the Embassy of India at Peru, held at the prominent Jockey Exposition Center, Surco, Lima (Peru) from 11^th to 15^th March, 2020 with eight Khadi Institutions and one Village industry institution and displayed Khadi products, Readymade garments, handicraft and herbal products. The Exhibition provided an opportunity and strong platform to showcase quality of KVI products.

• On 30^th January 2020, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME had launched limited edition of “Titan Khadi wrist watch” as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at New Delhi. Designed by Titan, a non-horological material like Khadi has been used on the dial and strap of the watches for the first time ever. Since Khadi is hand woven, every single watch in this collection is unique because of the distinctive weave and texture. The straps of the watches have also been treated with a special coating to make them more durable without compromising on its authentic texture.

(vii) Apiary on Wheels:

• On 13^th February 2020, Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME had launched “Apiary on Wheels” in a unique concept designed by KVIC for the easy upkeep and migration of Bee Boxes having live Bee colonies, in Delhi, in the presence of Chairman, KVIC.

• On 16^th July, 2020 the first-of-its-kind footwear training center in Delhi to train the marginalized community of leather artisans was inaugurated by KVIC. The center has been established with the technical knowhow of Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), Agra, a unit of the Ministry of MSME.

• Performance of Khadi & Village Industries during the period January 2020 to October 2020 is given below.

                              (Rs. in crore and Employment in lakh persons)

21. Coir Vikas Yojana:

•  Export of Coir & Coir Products : Rs. 2190.44 crore (January 2020 to August 2020)
•  Production of Coir & Coir Products : 5,53,000 M T. (January 2020  to October 2020)
•  Employment Generation: 1079 Nos.  (January 2020  to October 2020)
• Ministry of MSME has so far accorded final approval for 41 coir clusters under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) in the 2^nd phase of implementation from November 2015 with a total project cost of Rs. 142.47 crore, where GoI grant is Rs. 118.17 crore.

• These approved 41 coir clusters comprise of 2 Heritage, 19 Major, 11 Mini and 9 Regular clusters. Out of which, 14 clusters are located in Tamil Nadu, 4 each in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, 8 in Karnataka, 5 in Odisha, 2 each in Gujarat & Maharashtra, 1 in UT of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and 1 in West Bengal. The Ministry has so far released an amount of Rs. 82.14 crore for implementation of the scheme.

• During the period January, 2020 to November, 2020, Rs. 408.24 lakhs has been released to establish 123 coir units under the scheme.