The Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce in Goa has spent a significant sum under a key central government scheme. Officials report utilising Rs 19.2 crore from the allocated funds.
Spending Details and Upcoming Digital Initiative
This expenditure represents thirty-one percent of the total Rs 61.8 crore sanctioned under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance programme. The scheme, known as RAMP, has a final deadline of March 2027. With less than fifteen months remaining until that date, the current spending level has prompted discussions about the implementation pace.
Focus on Capacity Building
A large portion of the utilised funds, specifically Rs 18.1 crore, was directed towards capacity building and skill development. These programmes have provided valuable training to a wide audience.
Over thirty thousand individuals have benefited, including existing entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and members of self-help groups. The DITC engaged two specialised agencies to conduct these training initiatives.
The programmes covered essential areas for business growth:
- General skill development
- Various entrepreneurship-related skills
Major Digital Push for MSMEs
In a parallel development, the directorate is making a strong digital push. It has appointed Goa Electronics Limited for a crucial project.
The agency is tasked with developing and implementing a unified digital portal specifically for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. This portal aims to create a single-window system for businesses.
The scope of work for this portal has been finalised, according to a department official. Its primary goal is to streamline deregulation and compliance processes for MSMEs, making interactions with the government more efficient.
Significant groundwork has already been completed. Requirement-gathering exercises have been conducted with all seventeen relevant government departments. Based on this, a detailed project report has been submitted.
This report outlines the portal's full scope, technical requirements, and planned functionality. The launch of this unified digital platform is now scheduled for the month of April.
Context and Concerns
The RAMP programme is a major initiative supported by the World Bank and implemented by the central government. Its progress is closely watched.
As the programme approaches its halfway mark, the current fund utilisation level of thirty-one percent has raised some concerns. Stakeholders are keenly observing whether the spending and implementation pace will accelerate to meet the 2027 deadline and fully achieve the programme's objectives for Goa's MSME sector.
