Small-scale industries’ functioning affected by e-Khata introduction, says KASSIA president

Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari speaking at an awareness programme in Udupi on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Karnataka Small Scale Industries’ Association president M.G. Rajagopal on Thursday said the recently introduced e-khata system by the State government has considerably been affecting small-scale industries in Karnataka.

He was speaking at an awareness programme on export, zero defect zero effect (ZED) certification and lean scheme, jointly organised by the Industries and Commerce Department, the district industries centre, the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre, and KASSIA in Udupi.

Mr. Rajagopal said micro, small and medium entrepreneurs were unable to undertake any activity, including registration, re-registration etc., in the absence of e-khata in gram panchayat and other local bodies. The issue was already brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and other Ministers concerned, he said, hoping for a speedy resolution to the problem.

The KASSIA president urged the government to encourage MSMEs by providing required land, basic infrastructure in industrial estates, re-examination of gratuity and minimum wages rules and such other demands. These issues should be addressed on priority, he demanded.

Inaugurating the programme, Udupi Deputy Commissioner K. Vidyakumari said the government was committed to encouraging the MSME sector and had introduced several programmes. Entrepreneurs should make the best use of such programmes thereby providing employment to the needy, she said.

The DC urged entrepreneurs who were allotted industrial plots to make their best utilisation as government land was sparse in the district. The government was utilising available government land and acquiring private land to form industrial estates at Nandikur, Belapu and Byndoor. The district has about 1.25 lakh small scale industries, about 50 medium industries, and seven heavy industries, she noted. More than 1.32 lakh people work in the MSME sector in the district.

Ms. Vidyakumari urged entrepreneurs to focus on flawless production so as to boost export of such products. At the same time, they should also ensure that the process does not pollute the environment. She said the district administration has established as many as eight committees to address issues faced by industries.

MSME Development and Facilitation Office Joint Director K Socrates, District Small Scale Industries Association President Harish Kunder, joint director of industries Nagaraj V Nayak, VTPC Mangaluru deputy director Manjunath Hegde and others were present.