Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday inaugurated a call centre 'Udyami Helpline', which will provide information about business possibilities and loan facilities to entrepreneurs keen on setting up small units.
After inaugurating the helpline, the Prime Minister said this initiative would help in expanding the outreach of support provided under the various schemes and programmes of the government, an official statement said in New Delhi."The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) call centre will satisfy the need of a single point facility providing a wide range of information and accessibility of banks to such units," it said.
The Prime Minister said first generation entrepreneurs faced hurdles in credit availability, technology and marketing. The government support in these areas can improve their viability problems to a large extent. He also emphasised that the MSMEs play a vital role in employment generation.
The toll-free number 1800-180-6763, which would offer services between 6 am to 10 pm throughout the year, would provide information on a wide range of subjects, including guidance on setting up a units, access loans from banks, project profiles and about various MSME schemes.
The facility, which would be available in both English and Hindi, would also help in lodging complaints with various central and state government agencies dealing with MSMEs, including banks.
"The helpline will improve public access to the government, particularly from the rural and remote areas of the country and make the government more responsive to the public needs," the statement said. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Dinsha Patel, Secretary Dinesh Rai and senior officers of the ministry were also present on the occasion.