Some of the Government Policies for development and promotion of Small-Scale Industries in India are: 1. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1948, 2. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1956, 3. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1977, 4. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1980 and 5. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1990.
Since Independence, India has several Industrial Policies to her credit. So much so that Lawrence A. Veit tempted to say that “if India has as much industry as it has industrial policy, it would be a far well-to-do nation.” With this background in view, in what follows is a review of India’s Industrial Policies for the development and promotion of small-scale enterprises in the country.
1. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1948:
The IPR, 1948 for the first time, accepted the importance of small-scale industries in the overall industrial development of the country. It was well realized that small-scale industries are particularly suited for the utilization of local resources and for creation of employment opportunities.
However, they have to face acute problems of raw materials, capital, skilled labour, marketing, etc. since a long period of time. Therefore, emphasis was laid in the IPR, 1948 that these problems of small-scale enterprises should be solved by the Central Government with the cooperation of the State Governments. In nutshell, the main thrust of IPR 1948, as far as small-scale enterprises were concerned, was ‘protection.’
2. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1956:
The main contribution of the IPR 1948 was that it set in the nature and pattern of industrial development in the country. The post-IPR 1948 period was marked by significant developments taken place in the country. For example, planning has proceeded on an organised manner and the First Five Year Plan 1951-56 had been completed. Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 was also introduced to regulate and control industries in the country.
The parliament had also accepted ‘the socialist pattern of society’ as the basic aim of social and economic policy during this period. It was this background that the declaration of a new industrial policy resolution seemed essential. This came in the form of IPR 1956.
The IPR 1956 provided that along with continuing policy support to the small sector, it also aimed at to ensure that decentralised sector acquires sufficient vitality to self-supporting and its development is integrated with that of large- scale industry in the country. To mention, some 128 items were reserved for exclusive production in the small-scale sector.
Besides, the Small-Scale Industries Board (SSIB) constituted a working group in 1959 to examine and formulate a development plan for small-scale industries during the, Third Five Year Plan, 1961-66. In the Third Five Year Plan period, specific developmental projects like ‘Rural Industries Projects’ and ‘Industrial Estates Projects’ were started to strengthen the small-scale sector in the country. Thus, to the earlier emphasis of ‘protection’ was added ‘development.’ The IPR 1956 for small-scale industries aimed at “Protection plus Development.” In a way, the IPR 1956 initiated the modem SSI in India.
3. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1977:
During the two decades after the IPR 1956, the economy witnessed lopsided industrial development skewed in favour of large and medium sector, on the one hand, and increase in unemployment, on the other. This situation led to a renewed emphasis on industrial policy. This gave emergence to IPR 1977.
The Policy Statement categorically mentioned:
“The emphasis on industrial policy so far has been mainly on large industries, neglecting cottage industries completely, relegating small industries to a minor role. The main thrust of the new industrial policy will be on effective promotion of cottage and small-scale industries widely dispersed in rural areas and small towns. It is the policy of the Government that whatever can be produced by small and cottage industries must only be so produced.”
The IPR 1977 accordingly classified small sector into three broad categories:
- Cottage and Household Industries which provide self-employment on a large scale.
- Tiny sector incorporating investment in industrial units in plant and machinery up to Rs. 1 lakh and situated in towns with a population of less than 50,000 according to 1971 Census.
- Small-scale industries comprising of industrial units with an investment of upto Rs. 10 lakhs and in case of ancillary units with an investment up to Rs. 15 lakhs.
The measures suggested for the promotion of small-scale and cottage industries included:
(i) Reservation of 504 items for exclusive production in small-scale sector.
(ii) Proposal to set up in each district an agency called ‘District Industry Centre’ (DIC) to serve as a focal point of development for small-scale and cottage industries. The scheme of DIC was introduced in May 1978. The main objective of setting up DICs was to promote under a single roof all the services and support required by small and village entrepreneurs.
What follows from above is that to the earlier thrust of protection (IPR 1948) and development (IPR 1956), the IPR 1977 added ‘promotion’. As per this resolution, the small sector was, thus, to be ‘protected, developed, and promoted.’
4. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1980:
The Government of India adopted a new Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) on July 23, 1980. The main objective of IPR 1980 was defined as facilitating an increase in industrial production through optimum utilization of installed capacity and expansion of industries.
As to the small sector, the resolution envisaged:
(i) Increase in investment ceilings from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakhs in case of tiny units, from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs in case of small-scale units and from Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs in case of ancillaries.
(ii) Introduction of the concept of nucleus plants to replace the earlier scheme of the District Industry Centres in each industrially backward district to promote the maximum small-scale industries there.
(iii) Promotion of village and rural industries to generate economic viability in the villages well compatible with the environment.
Thus, the IPR 1980 reimphasised the spirit of the IPR 1956. The small-scale sector still remained the best sector for generating wage and self-employment based opportunities in the country.
5. Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) 1990:
The IPR 1990 was announced during June 1990. As to the small-scale sector, the resolution continued to give increasing importance to small-scale enterprises to serve the objective of employment generation.
The important elements included in the resolution to boost the development of small-scale sector were as follows:
(i) The investment ceiling in plant and machinery for small-scale industries (fixed in 1985) was raised from Rs. 35 lakhs to Rs. 60 lakhs and correspondingly, for ancillary units from Rs. 45 lakhs to Rs. 75 lakhs.
(ii) Investment ceiling for tiny units had been increased from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs provided the unit is located in an area having a population of 50,000 as per 1981 Census.
(iii) As many as 836 items were reserved for exclusive manufacture in small- scale sector.
(iv) A new scheme of Central Investment Subsidy exclusively for small-scale sector in rural and backward areas capable of generating more employment at lower cost of capital had been mooted and implemented.
(iv) With a view, to improve the competitiveness of the products manufactured in the small-scale sector; programmes of technology up gradation will be implemented under the umbrella of an apex Technology Development Centre in Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO).
(v) To ensure both adequate and timely flow of credit facilities for the small- scale industries, a new apex bank known as ‘Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)’ was established in 1990.
(vi) Greater emphasis on training of women and youth under Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and to establish a special cell in SIDO for this purpose.
(vii) Implementation of delicencing of all new units with investment of Rs. 25 crores in fixed assets in non-backward areas and Rs. 75 crores in centrally notified backward areas. Similarly, delicensing shall be implemented in the case of 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU) set up in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) up to an investment ceiling of Rs. 75 lakhs.
This sector can stimulate economic activity and is entrusted with the responsibility of realising various objectives generation of more employment opportunities with less investment, reducing regional imbalances etc. Small scale industries are not in a position to play their role effectively due to various constraints.
The various constraints, the various problems faced by small scale industries are as under:
(1) Finance:
Finance is one of the most important problem confronting small scale industries Finance is the life blood of an organisation and no organisation can function proper у in the absence of adequate funds. The scarcity of capital and inadequate availability of credit facilities are the major causes of this problem.
Firstly, adequate funds are not available and secondly, entrepreneurs due to weak economic base, have lower credit worthiness. Neither they are having their own resources nov are others prepared to lend them. Entrepreneurs are forced to borrow money from money lenders at exorbitant rate of interest and this upsets all their calculations.
After nationalisation, banks have started financing this sector. These enterprises are still struggling with the problem of inadequate availability of high cost funds. These enterprises are promoting various social objectives and in order to facilitate then working adequate credit on easier terms and conditions must be provided to them.
(2) Raw Material:
Small scale industries normally tap local sources for meeting raw material requirements. These units have to face numerous problems like availability of inadequate quantity, poor quality and even supply of raw material is not on regular basis. All these factors adversely affect t e functioning of these units.
Large scale units, because of more resources, normally corner whatever raw material that is available in the open market. Small scale units are thus forced to purchase the same raw material from the open market at very high prices. It will lead to increase in the cost of production thereby making their functioning unviable.
(3) Idle Capacity:
There is under utilisation of installed capacity to the extent of 40 to 50 percent in case of small scale industries. Various causes of this under-utilisation are shortage of raw material problem associated with funds and even availability of power. Small scale units are not fully equipped to overcome all these problems as is the case with the rivals in the large scale sector.
(4) Technology:
Small scale entrepreneurs are not fully exposed to the latest technology. Moreover, they lack requisite resources to update or modernise their plant and machinery Due to obsolete methods of production, they are confronted with the problems of less production in inferior quality and that too at higher cost. They are in no position to compete with their better equipped rivals operating modem large scale units.
(5) Marketing:
These small scale units are also exposed to marketing problems. They are not in a position to get first hand information about the market i.e. about the competition, taste, liking, disliking of the consumers and prevalent fashion.
With the result they are not in a position to upgrade their products keeping in mind market requirements. They are producing less of inferior quality and that too at higher costs. Therefore, in competition with better equipped large scale units they are placed in a relatively disadvantageous position.
In order to safeguard the interests of small scale enterprises the Government of India has reserved certain items for exclusive production in the small scale sector. Various government agencies like Trade Fair Authority of India, State Trading Corporation and the National Small Industries Corporation are extending helping hand to small scale sector in selling its products both in the domestic and export markets.
(6) Infrastructure:
Infrastructure aspects adversely affect the functioning of small scale units. There is inadequate availability of transportation, communication, power and other facilities in the backward areas. Entrepreneurs are faced with the problem of getting power connections and even when they are lucky enough to get these they are exposed to unscheduled long power cuts.
Inadequate and inappropriate transportation and communication network will make the working of various units all the more difficult. All these factors are going to adversely affect the quantity, quality and production schedule of the enterprises operating in these areas. Thus their operations will become uneconomical and unviable.
(7) Under Utilisation of Capacity:
Most of the small-scale units are working below full potentials or there is gross underutilization of capacities. Large scale units are working for 24 hours a day i.e. in three shifts of 8 hours each and are thus making best possible use of their machinery and equipments.
On the other hand small scale units are making only 40 to 50 percent use of their installed capacities. Various reasons attributed to this gross under- utilisation of capacities are problems of finance, raw material, power and underdeveloped markets for their products.
(8) Project Planning:
Another important problem faced by small scale entrepreneurs is poor project planning. These entrepreneurs do not attach much significance to viability studies i.e. both technical and economical and plunge into entrepreneurial activity out of mere enthusiasm and excitement.
They do not bother to study the demand aspect, marketing problems, and sources of raw materials and even availability of proper infrastructure before starting their enterprises. Project feasibility analysis covering all these aspects in addition to technical and financial viability of the projects, is not at all given due weight-age.
Inexperienced and incomplete documents which invariably results in delays in completing promotional formalities. Small entrepreneurs often submit unrealistic feasibility reports and incompetent entrepreneurs do not fully understand project details.
Moreover, due to limited financial resources they cannot afford to avail services of project consultants. This result is poor project planning and execution. There is both time interests of these small scale enterprises.
(9) Skilled Manpower:
A small scale unit located in a remote backward area may not have problem with respect to unskilled workers, but skilled workers are not available there. The reason is Firstly, skilled workers may be reluctant to work in these areas and secondly, the enterprise may not afford to pay the wages and other facilities demanded by these workers.
Besides non-availability entrepreneurs are confronted with various other problems like absenteeism, high labour turnover indiscipline, strike etc. These labour related problems result in lower productivity, deterioration of quality, increase in wastages, and rise in other overhead costs and finally adverse impact on the profitability of these small scale units.
(10) Managerial:
Managerial inadequacies pose another serious problem for small scale units. Modern business demands vision, knowledge, skill, aptitude and whole hearted devotion. Competence of the entrepreneur is vital for the success of any venture. An entrepreneur is a pivot around whom the entire enterprise revolves.
Many small scale units have turned sick due to lack of managerial competence on the part of entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur who is required to undergo training and counseling for developing his managerial skills will add to the problems of entrepreneurs.
The small scale entrepreneurs have to encounter numerous problems relating to overdependence on institutional agencies for funds and consultancy services, lack of credit-worthiness, education, training, lower profitability and host of marketing and other problems. The Government of India has initiated various schemes aimed at improving the overall functioning of these units.
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