State chairman explains programs undertaken, challenges faced and initiatives in the pipeline
More than 900 people have registered with the MSME Promotion Council of India (MSME PCI) in Mokokchung since the organisation began its operations in the district, but some of the programs initially planned for local entrepreneurs have yet to materialise as envisaged.
State Chairman Lanuakum Jamir said the membership program was intended to connect entrepreneurs and artisans with training, handholding, market linkages, financial facilitation, consultancy and assistance with regulatory compliance.
“The core objective of MSME PCI is to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and available Government schemes, finance, skills, technology and markets. Our focus is not merely on registration or membership, but on providing handholding and creating practical opportunities that can help entrepreneurs establish, formalise, grow and sustain their businesses,” Jamir said.
However, he acknowledged that some of the programs initially envisaged for Mokokchung, particularly skill development, have not materialised to the extent originally planned.
One of the programs MSME PCI has been working to facilitate is PM Vishwakarma, the Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for traditional artisans and craftspeople.
Launched in 2023, the scheme covers 18 traditional trades and provides support through recognition, skill training, toolkit incentives, collateral-free credit, digital transaction incentives and marketing support. It has a national outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for 2023-24 to 2027-28.
Jamir clarified that the Rs 13,000-crore figure represents the overall national outlay of the scheme and is not an allocation specifically for Nagaland.
Implementation of the scheme involves several stages, including beneficiary verification, skill training, assessment, toolkit distribution, credit linkage and market access. Jamir said the availability of training facilities and coordination among the agencies involved can affect the pace at which beneficiaries move through the different stages.
A proposed training arrangement involving MSME PCI in Mokokchung did not materialise as initially envisaged, as additional training centres were subject to assessment of requirements and approval by the competent authorities, Jamir said.
The scheme continues to be implemented in Nagaland through the Ministry of MSME, the MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Dimapur, the Department of Industries and Commerce, District Industries Centres and other recognised institutions.
According to State Government figures, 1,884 artisans had been trained and assessed under PM Vishwakarma as of March 31, 2026, increasing to 1,939 by May 25. As of March 31, loans amounting to Rs 3.91 crore had been disbursed and 773 toolkits distributed under the scheme in Nagaland.
Jamir said the implementation challenges should not be interpreted as a discontinuation of the scheme.
“The scheme is continuing. The important thing is to ensure that eligible artisans are properly guided through the different stages so that they can access the benefits available to them,” he said.
Beyond PM Vishwakarma, MSME PCI is seeking to expand its activities in Mokokchung through skill development and enterprise support.
Jamir said the organisation had earlier intended to participate in the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) program in the district and now intends to explore participation in RAMP 2.0, subject to government guidelines, selection procedures and empanelment requirements.
The organisation is also pursuing empanelment with the State Government for skill-development activities.
“For skill development, we are pursuing empanelment with the State Government so that we can participate in government-supported skill-development activities, subject to the required guidelines,” Jamir said.
Another initiative being pursued is the proposed revival of a dormant food-processing unit in Mokokchung.
Jamir said MSME PCI has taken steps towards operating the facility under a government lease arrangement and has entered into an MoU concerning its proposed revival.
The proposed model would involve procuring agricultural produce from local farmers, processing the produce and developing markets for finished products, including markets outside Nagaland.
The initiative, if implemented, would seek to connect local agricultural production with processing and wider markets.
MSME PCI is also promoting the PM Surya Ghar program and exploring opportunities to facilitate solar installations for households and entrepreneurs.
The organisation also provides assistance relating to entrepreneurship, financial facilitation and regulatory compliance, including UDYAM registration, GST and ITR-related requirements.
Jamir acknowledged that these compliance-related services have not yet been extensively implemented in Mokokchung.
With more than 900 people registered, Jamir said the organisation’s focus now is on ensuring that membership translates into tangible opportunities.
“All the members should ultimately get opportunities for training, handholding, market linkages and consultancy, as well as assistance with compliance and financial facilitation, subject to the eligibility and requirements of the respective programmes,” he said.
He acknowledged that some programs have taken longer than initially expected but said MSME PCI would continue working to expand its activities in Mokokchung.
“For a good thing to happen, it takes time. Our objective is that by this time next year, we will have substantially more programmes and opportunities for entrepreneurs and skill development in Mokokchung,” Jamir said.
