Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, concluded a two-day visit to Puducherry with a strong call for coordinated efforts to strengthen the Union Territory’s MSME ecosystem through improved access to technology, institutional finance, skill development, quality infrastructure and market opportunities.
The Minister’s visit, held on July 8–9, 2026, focused on reviewing the implementation of the Ministry of MSME’s flagship schemes and assessing the progress of initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, employment generation and industrial growth in the region.
Comprehensive Review of MSME Ecosystem
During the visit, Shri Manjhi chaired a high-level review meeting attended by senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, the Government of Puducherry, the Development and Facilitation Office, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Coir Board, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), members of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), MSME associations and other key stakeholders.
The discussions centred on evaluating the current state of the MSME sector in Puducherry and identifying measures to accelerate the growth of enterprises through better implementation of government programmes.
Officials from the Directorate of Industries, Government of Puducherry, and the Ministry of MSME presented detailed updates on the performance of various schemes and the overall industrial landscape in the Union Territory.
Focus on Flagship Government Schemes
A significant part of the review meeting was devoted to assessing the progress of several flagship MSME initiatives designed to improve competitiveness and support small businesses.
These included the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM Vishwakarma, Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), MSME Competitive (LEAN), MSME Sustainable (ZED), Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP), Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Scheme and the CHAMPIONS platform.
The meeting also explored ways to increase awareness about these programmes so that a larger number of entrepreneurs and small enterprises can benefit from the available financial assistance, quality certification, technological support and market linkages.
Stakeholders discussed strategies to improve outreach, simplify access to government support and encourage wider participation by MSMEs across different sectors.
Greater Credit Access a Key Priority
Highlighting the importance of timely finance for business growth, Shri Manjhi urged banks and financial institutions to expand institutional lending to micro, small and medium enterprises.
He emphasised that easy access to affordable credit remains one of the most important requirements for strengthening the MSME sector and enabling businesses to invest in expansion, innovation and employment generation.
The Minister also called upon all implementing agencies and stakeholders to ensure effective execution of government initiatives so that the intended benefits reach enterprises at the grassroots level.
Technology Centres Preparing Skilled Workforce
As part of his visit, Shri Manjhi toured the MSME Technology Centre in Puducherry on July 8, where he reviewed its training facilities, production infrastructure and technology-enabled manufacturing capabilities.
He interacted with trainees enrolled in advanced skill development programmes and inspected products manufactured using modern machinery.
The Minister said that equipping young people with industry-relevant technical skills is essential for building a future-ready workforce and improving employment opportunities.
He noted that MSME Technology Centres are contributing significantly to the development of skilled manpower while supporting innovation, manufacturing excellence and the broader national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Strengthening Quality Infrastructure
On July 9, Shri Manjhi visited the MSME Testing Station in Puducherry to review its testing laboratories, quality assurance systems and technical support services available for enterprises.
He appreciated the institution’s role in providing product testing, quality certification, technical guidance and capacity-building support to MSMEs.
The Minister stressed that greater awareness is needed so that more enterprises make effective use of these facilities to improve product quality and enhance their competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
Commitment to Sustainable MSME Growth
The two-day visit reinforced the Ministry of MSME’s commitment to promoting sustainable industrial development in Puducherry by strengthening institutional support and improving access to finance, technology, modern skills and quality infrastructure.
With continued collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions and industry stakeholders, the Ministry aims to create a more resilient and competitive MSME ecosystem capable of generating employment, encouraging entrepreneurship and contributing to India’s long-term economic growth.
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
