Nagpur: Nitin Gadkari, Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), has promised to increase the share of the sector in industrial growth to 49% from the present 29%. Addressing the silver jubilee function of Mahila Griha Udyog’s Lijjat Papad Limited, the minister said the Central government and his ministry were taking several steps to achieve the target.

The minister said that 13 MSME clusters will be started in rural areas of Vidarbha. The aim of these clusters will be to generate employment in rural areas. “We will provide markets for local products. We will spend Rs4,500 crore on these clusters,” he added.

Gadkari further said that over the years Lijjat Papad has not emphasized on increasing production and profit, but on providing quality product to consumers. 

“This group is therefore not doing business but it is a type of social entrepreneurship,” he added.

“Even though the economy is not doing well, and unemployment is a problem, Lijjat Group is providing livelihood to over 50,000 women. The turnover of the group is over Rs1,500 crore. It is a matter of pride that Lijjat exports products worth Rs75 crore every year,” said the minister.

He appealed to strengthen the women who were working for the group. “It should come up with new products so that more jobs are created and the economy gets a fillip,” said Gadkari. He then informed the audience about the measures taken by the Central government to boost MSMEs.

Vanrai trustee Girish Gandhi in his presidential address spoke about the challenges faced by the group while starting the Nagpur branch. “When the group president came to Nagpur she did not find any place suitable. So she started the unit at her own residence. At that time her neighbours strongly opposed the unit in a residential area,” he said.

Mayor Nanda Jichkar urged other women entrepreneurs to take a leaf out of Lijjat’s book and expand their business.

MLC Anil Sole, group vice-president Pratibha Sawant, Namita Sapkal, Anant Gharad and Baburao Tidke were present on the dais.

Published On : 11-11-2019

Source : Times of India