Lean manufacturing scheme for MSMEs launched
Dinsha Patel, Minister of State, Independent Charge, (MSME), has launched 'Lean Manufacturing Competitive Scheme' for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises at Vigyan Bhavan today.

Interest subsidy for exporters extended till March 2010
The Reserve Bank on Friday extended the interest subsidy of two per cent to exporters, battling demand recession in western economies, by six months till March 2010.

Printed Cartons Exempted from Excise Duty
The Government of India has issued Notification No. 47/2008-CE dated 01.09.2008 to amend the earlier Notification No. 8/ 2003 CE. Printed cartons of paper or paper board, stickers and labels etc are fully exempted from the excise duty for a clearance up to Rs 1.5 crore in the financial year.

‘Political indifference in UP affecting MSMEs’ performance
Industry in Uttar Pradesh is reeling under the impact of not only the recession in the economy but also due to the political indifference to industry by the state government.

Policy to procure 20% of products via MSMEs
To help the small and medium enterprises in these trying times, the central government is working on a new procurement policy, which will make it mandatory for government departments to procure 20% of all products and services through the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

MSMEs to get 6% of net bank credit
An inter-ministerial group has approved earmarking of 6% of net bank credit for micro enterprises under priority-sector lending to enhance the fund availability to the beleaguered sector. However, the proposal has to cross a few “hurdles” before it could be implemented, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) secretary Dinesh Rai said.

Sidbi to train consultants for leather industry
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and private infrastructure development firm IL&FS will impart training to consultants for the local leather industry.

SBI to raise NPA cover if needed
The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), On Monday said its provisions on bad loans were adequate, but the cover might be increased if the need arose.

BoB to sanction Rs 3095 cr to SMEs
Bank of Baroda has set a target to sanction Rs 3,095 crore to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Gujarat by March 2010 through its six SME loan factories.

Tenant can be evicted for commercial activities: SC
The Supreme Court has ruled that a tenant can be evicted if he used the residential premises for commercial activities. The apex court rejected the argument that the authorites can only impose a fine and that no direction can be passed for eviction.

Customs database to help importers, policy makers: Virmani
Importers now, at the click of a mouse, will be able to find the prevailing custom duty on a product, end-use or country-specific exemptions, related government policies, duty calculator and the likes.

Finance Ministry launches online Customs tariff database
The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in the Finance Ministry is getting tech-savvy by the day. It has gone in for an electronic database of Customs tariffs to equip itself for better policy making on the import tariff front.

Labeling norms: firms get 6 mnths
Manufacturers of packaged products will get at least six months to conform to labeling norms whenever there is a change.

Categorization of Activities under manufacture or service under the MSMED Act 2006
References were received by the Office of Development Commissioner, MSME, New Delhi for clarification on categorization of activities under manufacturing or service. These were examined under the provisions of MSMED Act 2006 and it is clarified:

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