Bhubaneswar: Odisha must take the lead in promoting women-led Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), said MSME, Fisheries and Animal Resources Minister Gokulananda Mallik Wednesday.
He stressed that boosting women’s entrepreneurship is essential for the state’s economic growth and social progress. Speaking at a review meeting with General Managers of District Industries Centres (DICs) at the City’s O-Hub Wednesday, the Minister noted that Odisha currently ranks 13th in India in terms of women-led MSMEs. He urged all stakeholders to work towards securing a top position in the national rankings, stressing the need for sustained outreach, capacity-building, and support systems for women entrepreneurs. The meeting reviewed the planning, execution, and monitoring of various schemes implemented by the MSME department, along with the activities of affiliated institutions.
Minister Mallik underscored the importance of policy-driven, transparent, and accountable service delivery. Key government initiatives were examined, including the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme, and PM-Vishwakarma, alongside the Odisha government’s CMSHRIM scheme. Both financial and non-financial incentives under these programmes were assessed for their effectiveness in fostering enterprise growth. District-level officials highlighted challenges faced during implementation, ranging from procedural hurdles to gaps in beneficiary awareness.
The review was attended by MSME Commissioner-cum-Secretary Prashanth Kumar Reddy, Director of Export Promotion and Marketing Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Principal Secretary Mahesh Kumar Choudhury, Additional Director of Industries Prabhu Prasad Choudhury, and DIC General Manager Samuchita Mallik, among other senior officials.
