India : PM to present National Awards to small entrepreneurs

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will present National Awards to the Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs here on 30th August, 2007. The Awards will be in three categories: a) Outstanding Entrepreneurs of Micro & Small Enterprises, Khadi and Village Industries and Coir Industries; b) Special Awards to Women and SC/ST Entrepreneurs and c) Banks for Excellence in Small Enterprises Lending.
The Government instituted a Scheme of National Awards under the title ‘National Award for Research & Development Efforts in Small Scale Industries’ in 1999. The objective of the scheme is to encourage in-house R&D efforts and to promote this spirit in the larger interest of qualitative development in Small Scale Industries. Under this scheme First, Second and Third Awards are conferred to deserving registered small scale industries which may be in continuous production for at least four years before the year of Award. The First, Second and Third Awards carry a Cash Prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, Rs.75,000/- and Rs. 50,000/- respectively; besides a Certificate and a Trophy.
With a view to encouraging the banks to enhance credit flow to the MSE Sector, a scheme of National Awards to the Banks in recognition of their outstanding performance in financing the micro and small enterprises sector was introduced from the year 2001-02. Further, the National Awards for Excellence in Lending to Micro Enterprises have also been instituted from the year 2005-06.