Introduction

In the Industrial policy announced by the Government of India on 23.12.1977 laid special stress on the development of Small Scale, Village and Cottage Industries. The policy statement indicated that the District would be the main focus of efforts and the agency for promotion of small scale, village and cottage industries would be a new organization called "District Industries Centre. The District Industries Centre was started on the objective to find out the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the District. The District Industries Centre have been formed with a view to provide all assistance to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises under One Roof, thereby reducing the time taken to finish all government procedures.

Enterprises

Investment in Plant & Investment in Machinery Equipment (Manufacturing) (service) Up to Rs. 25 lakhs Up to Rs. 10 lakhs

Micro

Small

Above Rs. 25 lakhs up to Rs. 5 crore Above Rs. 5 crore up to Rs. 10 crore

Above Rs. 10 lakhs up to Rs. 2 crore Above Rs. 2 crore up to Rs. 5 crore

Medium

The important objectives of DICs are as follows

Accelerate the overall efforts for Industrialization of the district. Rural Industrialization and development of rural industries and handicrafts. Attainment of economic equality in various regions of the district. Providing the benefit of the government schemes to the new entrepreneurs. Centralization of procedures required to start a new industrial unit and minimization- of the efforts and time required to obtain various permissions, licenses, registrations, subsidies etc.

Objectives Of District Industrial Centres

To act as the Nodal Promotional Agency in the development of industries and industries activities in the State as a whole. To provide a focal point for the promotion of small, tiny and cottage industries and to provide all the service and support to the decentralized industries under a single roof at pre investment, investment and post investment stage.

i. Acts as the focal point of the industrialization of the district. ii. Prepares the industrial profile of the district iii. Statistics and information about existing industrial units in the district in the large, Medium, small as well as co-operative sectors. iv. Opportunity guidance to entrepreneurs. v. Compilation of information about local sources of raw materials and their availability. vi. Organizes entrepreneurship development training programs.

vii. Provides information about various government schemes, subsidies, grants and assistance available from the other corporations set up for promotion of industries. viii. Acts as a link between the entrepreneurs and the lead bank of the district. ix. Helps entrepreneurs in obtaining licenses from the Electricity Board, Water Supply Board, No Objection Certificates etc. x. Assist the entrepreneur to procure imported machinery and raw materials.

Till March 31st 1998, 422 district industries centers (DICs) have been set up covering 431districts of country leaving out the metropolitan cities and some new districts.

S.no

Particulars

No. of units
3,16,169 1,06,0211

1.)

New units established a. Artisans b. Small scale industries

2.)

Credit provided by financial institution (RS. In cr.)

89,080

3.)

13,33,034

General Manager is the head of the District Industries Centre. The post of General Manager is of Joint / Deputy Commissioner level. The General Manager has senior officers to assist him, such as Manager (Raw Material), Manager (Credit), Manage (Economic Investigation), Manager (Marketing) Industrial Promotion Officer(IPO) and Technical Officer cum Project Manager (PM)

Accounts Officer Manager(Credit) Manager(Raw Materials) Manager(Economic Investigation) Manager(Marketing) Technical Officer and Manager(Project) Industrial Promotion Officer

The functioning of DICs and their achievement is monitored by Industries Commissioner, Meeting of General Managers are organized frequently to evaluate the performance and also help in resolving difficulties in implementation of different schemes.To resolve the problems of industries/industrialists, there are two types of committee at the district level viz. District Industrial Executive Committee (DIEC): DIEC is constituted for solving industry related problems And promoting industrtial growth. District Colector is the Chairman of this Committee and General Manager of DIC is the Member Secretary. The other members of the DIEC are President of District Panchayat, DDO, MP, MLAs, Prominent persons active in Industries in the district and members of all district level industries associations.

Single Window Industrial Follow up Team (SWIFT) Entrepreneurs face many difficulties when they start new industries. They have to deal with many government agencies and get many clearances. SWIFT helps them in guiding solving their problems at a single spot. This committee is working under the District Collector, General Manager of DIC is the Member Secretary and District Development Officer is Vice President of SWIFT. All industries related officers in the district are members of this committee.

FILING OF ENTREPRENEUR MEMORANDUM PARTI: This is required for the proposed industry to be set up by the entrepreneurs to get the financial assistance from Banks / Government Department. FILING OF ENTREPRENEUR MEMORANDUM PARTII: Any MSM Enterprises, which has commenced production can file E.M. Part-II so that they can avail the facilities, incentives and concessions offered by the Government from time to time under the Industrial Policy 2008. The following categories of Units are covered under TWENTY POINT PROGRAMME introduced by the Government of India.

COTTAGE INDUSTRIES REGISTRATION: These Industries which are set up in rural areas and the products are manufactured by the group of family members. The District Industries Centre, identify such units and help them to get financial assistance from banks. HANDICRAFTS INDUSTRIES REGISTRATION: District Industries Centre, identify the artisans who are engaged handicrafts such as wood carvings, paper mash, embroidery, paper toys etc., and assist them to get bank loans. District Industries Centre, also recommend these artisans toget the master craftsman award from Government.

PRIME MINISTER's EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME: This scheme is jointly implemented by District Industries Centre, Khadi and Village Industries Commission and Khadi and Village Industries Board. This is a Employment Generation Scheme for unemployed youths who are above 18 years of age. The salient feature of this scheme is: a). Financial Assistance upto Rs.25 Lakhs for Manufacturing Enterprises and Rs.10 Lakhs for Service Enterprises from any Nationalized Banks or Selected Commercial Private Banks. b). 35% Subsidy for the Enterprises setup in rural areas and 25% Subsidy for the Enterprises setup in Urban Areas. c). Production / Service Oriented Units are eligible under the scheme d). Educational qualification: Minimum 8th standard pass for projects more than Rs.10 lakhs in manufacturing sector and project more than Rs.5 lakhs in service sector.

In India District Industrial Centers playing vital role in entrepreneur development. This initiative of government produced some good results like, generating self employment, at the same time it is reducing regional imbalance among developed and underdeveloped region of country. Inspite of many good results, there is some bottleneck in this schemes which is stopping people to take benefits of this scheme. Like :- lack of information.