Ministry of Small Scale Industries
The Ministry of Small Scale Industries (SSI) is a defunct Indian government ministry. It was merged with the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries to form the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The ministry was tasked with the promotion of micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
The Ministry of Small Scale Industries and Agro and Rural Industries (SSI&ARI) was created in October 1999. In September 2001, the ministry was split into the Ministry of Small Scale Industries (SSI) and the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries (ARI). The Ministry of Small Scale Industries merged with the Ministry of Agro and Rural Industries to form the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in 2007
The Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) was under the control of the ministry, as was the public sector undertakings National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC).
The Small Industries Development Organisation
It is the Office of the Development Commissioner for Small Scale Industries. SIDO was established in 1954 on the basis of the recommendations of the Ford Foundation. It has over 60 offices and 21 autonomous bodies under its management. These autonomous bodies include Tool Rooms, Training Institutions and Project-cum-Process Development Centres.
Various Services provided by SIDO to the SMEs:-
- facilities for testing, toolmenting, training for entrepreneurship development
- preparation of project and product profiles
- technical and managerial consultancy
- assistance for exports
- pollution and energy audits
SIDO also provides economic information services and advises Government in policy formulation for the promotion and development of SSIs. The field offices also work as effective links between the Central and the State Governments