[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]PIA took part in an Interaction Programme held at KASSIA on May 16 with Sri Kalraj Mishra, Hon’ble Union Minister 
for MSME who launched the My KASSIA Mobile App and a MSME Handbook in Kannada on the occasion.
It may be recalled that PIA had a month ago launched the PIA Mobile App for the benefit of its Members, a unique service launched for the first time in the country.
Sri R. Krishnamurthy, President and Office Bearers of PIA felicitated the Hon’ble Union Minister for MSME, Sri Kalraj Mishra and presented him a Memorandum of issues concerning the micro and small scale industries.
The Programme Coordinator in his introductory remarks mentioned that PIA represented Peenya Industrial Area, South-East Asia’s largest industrial extension, for the information of the Hon’ble Minister. Sri Ravindra Nath,MD, NSIC, Smt. M.V. Savithri, IAS, MD, KSSIDC, and representatives of various MSME Associations from southern States of Tamil Nadu, AP, Telengana were present on the occasion.
Interacting with the representatives of various Industry Associations present, Sri Krishnamurthy, President, PIA joined KASSIA in strongly appealing to the Hon’ble Union MSME Minister to persuade the Finance Ministry to bring down the NPA norms from the present 90 days to 180 days for MSMEs. “Banks are routinely classifying a MSME account as NPA the moment there are outstanding dues for more than 90 days. While this is technically correct, it does grave injustice to a small entrepreneur,” Sri Krishnamurthy observed. “Many entrepreneurs in Peenya have become victims of banks blindly following this policy. Bankers should be sensitized to the problem of delayed payments to MSME on supplies made by them to PSUs/large enterprises.
When the MSME vendor does not receive payment due to him for several months, how can it be expected to stick to the repayment schedule. It is in this light that we want the NPA norms to be extended to 180 days and thus avoid victimizing otherwise genuine MSMEs,” he explained.
KASSIA President Sri A. Padmanabha presented a Joint Memorandum to the Union MSME Minister containing some of the main grievances of the MSMEs.
Addressing the large gathering
of industrialists, Sri Kalraj Mishra, Hon’ble Union Minister for MSME said Banks had been told to adopt a more discriminating approach while classifying a MSME account as non-performing. The Minister also referred to the various initiatives periodically rolled out by his Ministry and the Narendra Modi Government for the MSMEs, such as Start-up India, Stand-up India, Skill India. The success of these Schemes depended on the support from Industry Associations who should take this message to the nook and corner of the State, he said.
Emphasizing that his Government was fully committed to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and it was not just a mere slogan, he said no efforts was being spared to transform the MSME Sector.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
