CM Khandu urged young people to study government policies and budgets carefully to fully utilise available schemes
Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday emphasised the crucial role of the MSME sector in India’s economic growth, stating that since 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, multiple policy interventions have strengthened the national economy, with special focus on uplifting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes through the National SC-ST Hub launched in 2016.
Addressing the National Level Mega Awareness Programme organised by National Small Industries Corporation under the Ministry of MSME in coordination with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu cited national data showing that the MSME sector currently supports over 7 crore enterprises across the country and benefits more than 31 crore people. He, however, stressed the need to accelerate momentum in the North East, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh.
The awareness programme aims to ensure SC and ST entrepreneurs benefit from Government of India schemes and actively participate in the country’s economic progress.
Focus on youth and inclusive growth
Khandu urged young people to study government policies and budgets carefully to fully utilise available schemes, stating that participation without action would render such programmes ineffective. He noted that 25 per cent of total government procurement is mandated from MSMEs, including 4 per cent reserved for SC/ST entrepreneurs and 3 per cent for women entrepreneurs, describing it as a progressive policy promoting inclusive growth.
Expressing satisfaction over strong female participation, he highlighted the State Government’s emphasis on women empowerment through the Self Help Group (SHG) movement, with over 1.5 lakh women actively engaged in SHGs across the state.
The Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated the Entrepreneurship Development Institute at Jote, which will provide structured training, mentoring and capacity-building support to startups and MSMEs.
Budget push and institutional support
Referring to the Union Budget 2026, Khandu outlined a three-pronged strategy for strengthening MSMEs — equity support, risk capital access and liquidity enhancement. He cited ₹10,000 crore growth fund support for SMEs, ₹2,000 crore under the Self-Reliant India Fund for micro enterprises and over ₹7 lakh crore liquidity support for the sector.
He added that professional bodies such as Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Institute of Company Secretaries of India and Institute of Cost Accountants of India will design short-term modular courses to strengthen financial and corporate capabilities of MSMEs, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III towns.
State initiatives and startup ecosystem
Highlighting state initiatives, the Chief Minister spoke about the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme launched in 2020 and the Innovation & Investment Park providing mentoring in collaboration with premier institutions including Indian Institutes of Management. Nearly 300 startups are currently operating in the state, which was recently recognised among the best-performing states in the Startup India ecosystem.
He also referred to schemes such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana and the Chief Minister’s Tourism Development Scheme that have boosted entrepreneurship across sectors.
Under the Arunachal Pradesh Industrial Investment Policy 2025, incentives include power subsidy at ₹2 per unit, 100 per cent exemption on stamp duty and registration fees, 50 per cent capital investment subsidy in government industrial areas, interest subsidies, GST reimbursement, transport and air freight subsidies, and export incentives to attract investors.
Call for job creators
Encouraging youth to move beyond preference for government jobs, Khandu said, “Government jobs are limited, but opportunities in entrepreneurship are limitless,” stressing discipline and dedication as keys to success.
He highlighted opportunities in hydropower, mining, agriculture, horticulture and floriculture, noting that Arunachal Pradesh hosts over 600 varieties of orchids and urging entrepreneurs to reduce India’s dependence on orchid imports.
The Chief Minister also pointed to export opportunities emerging from India’s recent trade agreements with global partners, saying MSMEs and startups in Arunachal Pradesh can leverage digital platforms for wider market access.
Proposing wider outreach, he suggested organising similar awareness camps in eastern, central and western regions of the state to ensure youth from remote districts benefit equally.
The programme, co-chaired by Industries Minister Nyato Dukam and Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Kento Jini, concluded with technical sessions where experts from MSME, NSIC and financial institutions interacted with entrepreneurs and startup aspirants.
