Small Industry Cluster Development Programme
Introduction
Small Scale Industries contribute significantly in industrial production of the country. They produce a variety of products ranging from traditional to hi-tech. Although the volume of production from Small Scale Industries is quite large, the quality of the product, productivity, energy and environmental issues have always been a concern. These concerns have accentuated with the opening of the economy where productivity and quality play a major role for the survival of the Small Scale Industries. The Office of the Development Commissioner (Small Scale Industries) has launched a scheme namely the 'Integrated Technology Upgradation and Management Programme' (UPTECH) in 1998, now renamed as 'Small Industry Cluster Development Program'. The scheme applies to any cluster of industries where there is a commonality in the method of production, quality control and testing, energy conservation, pollution control etc. among the units of the cluster. The scheme aims to take care of the modernisation and the technological needs of the cluster. It covers a comprehensive range of issues related to technology upgradation, improvement of productivity, energy conservation, pollution control, product diversification and their marketing, training needs etc.
Scope of the Scheme
The scheme is exclusively for a cluster of industries.
To carry out the technology status and needs studies of identified clusters.
To scout for and identify appropriate technologies and their providers on the basis of these status and needs studies.
To facilitate contract/need based research, if any required, to adapt the available technology to the specific needs of the end users.
To facilitate and promote the demonstration of technologies to the target groups of small enterprises.
To promote and facilitate the delivery of the technology from its producer to the recipient user
To promote the assimilation and diffusion of the identified technology across the cluster of small enterprises.
Project Cost & Nodal Agency
The financial outlay of the scheme is Rs.17.74 crores.
The Office of the Development Commissioner (Small Scale Industries) will act as the Nodal Agency.
Monitoring of the scheme
The scheme is monitored by the Implementation Committee. The Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner (SSI) is the Chairperson of the Committee. The other members of the Committee are the Director, IF Wing and the representatives of NRDC, NSIC, SIDBI, DC (SSI) and head of the agency engaged for the implementation.
Financial Support of the Project
Purpose for the Financial Support
Conducting diagnostic study of the cluster.
Carrying out industries related R&D, if needed.
Setting up of new technology demonstration plant
Setting up of a Common Facility Centre, if required.
Training of users.
Seminar, workshops, study visits for quick dissemination of technology among the industries of the cluster.
Amount of financial support
The amount of financial support is not fixed but varies from project to project which is decided by the Steering Committee.
For setting up of the demonstration plant, the pioneering unit has to bear 50% of its cost.
Procedure for Sanction of Financial Support
The proposal on the Technology Upgradation and Modernization of a cluster of Small Scale Industries are received from the expert agencies. The proposal should comprise of the planning, programming, executing, monitoring & the evaluation in tentative quantifiable terms. On the basis of the available reports, experience, status notes, etc. clusters are identified to be taken up for the Technology Upgradation. The Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary (SSI&ARI) approves the proposal. In those clusters where existing technology status information and the technology needs information is found to be insufficient, comprehensive diagnostic studies will be carried out and the findings are discussed with the concerned Associations. Accordingly, based on the findings of the diagnostic study, a Pioneering unit is selected for demonstration of the suggested measures. The demonstration effect is also meant for the other units in the cluster so that other units could adapt the suggested technological interventions. The Pioneering unit should bear 50% of the cost of Hardware. The Seminars, Workshops, Awareness Programmes and Training Programmes etc. are also conducted to make the units well aware of the interventions. The Common Facility Centre, if required, is also setup for the benefit of the Small Scale Industries.
The amount of financial support is decided by the Committee on a case to case basis.
Whom to Contact
The following may be contacted for any clarifications/further information and for submission of proposals on Small Industry Cluster Development Program:
Shri Amir Subhani,
Joint Development Commissioner,
Office of the Development Commissioner (SSI),
7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan,
New Delhi-110011
Telephone Nos. Office:23010091
Fax: 23010430
