EVALUATION STUDY OF MICRO & SMALL
ENTERPRISES CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (MSE-CDP).
1.1
Background:
The Ministry
of MSME, Government of India has adopted the cluster approach
as a key strategy for enhancing the productivity and competitiveness
as well as capacity building of Micro & Small Enterprises
and their collectives in the country. Among other things, this
approach also facilitates substantial economies of scale
in terms of deployment of available resources for effective
implementation and more sustainable results in the medium to
long-term. In this context, in the year 1998, a scheme
namely 'Integrated Technology Upgradation and Management Programme'
(UPTECH) was launched to address the issues related to
Technology Upgrdation and Modernisation of MSE sector on cluster
approach basis. Later on, it was felt that for overall development
of a cluster, holistic approach has to be adopted. Accordingly,
UPTECH was renamed as Small Industry Cluster Development Programme
(SICDP) in the year 2003. With announcement of promotional
package for Micro & Small Enterprises on Ist October, 2006,
the scheme has been renamed as Micro & Small Enterprises Cluster
Development Programme (MSE-CDP).
1.1.1 Overall Progress under MSE-CDP:
| |
Total Clusters taken up under MSE-CDP - 328 |
| |
Intervention in 90 clusters (up to end - March, 2007). Combination of
soft and hard interventions. |
| |
Hard interventions - setting up of CFC, Mini Tool Room, Testing Centres
etc. 23 clusters |
| |
66 new clusters approved for interventions in 2007-08 |
| |
Diagnostic studies under progress in 100 clusters |
| |
72 fresh Diagnostic Studies/ Viability Studies approved during 2007-08. |
1.2 Objective of the assignment:
The purpose of this evaluation
is to provide an indication of how successful the scheme has
been in achieving the objectives with which they were conceptualized.
1.3 Terms of Reference (TOR): The main
aim of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness of the
schemes through primary and secondary sources. The scope
of work includes -
(1) Have soft interventions in Clusters led to:
| a) |
Improvement in the skill |
| b) |
Adoption of new skills, techniques/technologies |
| c) |
Broadening the consciousness of the Cluster actors regarding
modern trends and demands |
| d) |
Use of better manufacturing practices |
| e) |
Enhancing share of clusters actors in domestic as well
as in global market |
(2) Have the hard interventions, where Common Facilities
have been created led to
| a) |
Improvement in products |
| b) |
Improvement in processes and technologies |
| c) |
Cost competitiveness |
| d) |
Diversification |
| e) |
Proper user fees and self-management of SPVs |
:
(3) What are the specific areas where further improvements
of the existing schemes could be considered.
(4) Has the Cluster Development Schemes led to better
cohesion and cooperation between individual enterprises within
the Clusters and has it given them a sense of common identity
- in order to take on competition.
(5) Are the procedures of approval and receipt of funds
appropriate or are changes suggested.
(6) To determine the outreach and access of the Scheme
in general with particular reference to the North-Eastern Region
and suggest ways and means to improve the outreach and
access of the Scheme in the North-Eastern Region. Economic impact
of the scheme on intended beneficiaries including women, SC/ST,
Minority communities, and NER beneficiaries.
(7) Preparation of evaluation benchmarks of progress and
monitoring the performance of the Clusters taken for development
under the scheme.
(8) The cluster ability to avail other Government beneficial
programme including credit.
1.4 Deliverables:
| a) |
Inception report |
02 weeks from start of assignment |
| b) |
Draft report |
02 month from start of assignment |
| c) |
Final report |
03 months from start of assignment |
1.5 Duration of consultancy: The time
duration for completion of the consultancy assignment is 03
months from the date of commencement of the assignment. Draft
report should be submitted by the end of second month. After
receiving the final draft report from the Government, the consultant
should submit the final report within one month from the
date of its approval.
1.6 For evaluation of proposals, schedule
of payment and other general terms & conditions approved methodology
of the Ministry of MSME under the scheme of Surveys &
Studies would be followed.
