The registration of cottage and small scale industries is increasing in Gandaki province.
As the country moved towards federalism, province governments were established. In the last three years since the establishment of the province government, the number of industries has increased.
Around 6,207 industries were registered in 11 districts of the province in the fiscal year 2019/20 while only 5,340 industries were registered in the fiscal year 2018/19.
The number of industrialists in the province has almost doubled so far in the current fiscal year 2020/21 as compared to three years ago.
Narayan Acharya, director of the Directorate of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection, Gandaki, said that 10,411 industries have been added in the province so far in the current fiscal year.
At present, there are 79,487 registered cottage and small scale industries in 11 districts.
With the increase in the number of industries in the province, the number of jobs is also increasing.
Acharya said that 7,390 people were employed in the newly added industries in the fiscal year 2019/19, 8,570 people in the fiscal year 2019/20 and 14,446 people in the current fiscal year 2020/21.
Of the 11 districts in the province, Kaski has the most number of industries and Manang the least. At present, there are 20,136 registered industries in Kaski and 438 in Manang. While 2,592 new industries have been registered in Kaski in the current fiscal year, a total of 45 new industries have been added in Manang.
Cottage and small industries offices operate in all 11 districts of the province for facilitating business. In terms of industry and commerce in Nepal, Gandaki is in the third place after Provinces-2 and 5, said Acharya.
Acharya said that despite the decrease in the number of industry registrations due to COVID-19 last year, the registration of industries has increased in the current fiscal year.
“The number of registrations has increased. The potential for industry and commerce in Gandaki is also high. We are in the third place in Nepal,” Acharya said.
Registrations increased due to concessional loans
According to Acharya, the number of registrants has also increased as the government provides concessional loans to entrepreneurs and businessmen.
He said that the number has also increased as banks and financial institutions have made the registration of cottage industries mandatory while giving loans.
Similarly, he assumed that the number has increased as the province government is also giving loans to the industries and businesses affected by COVID-19.
Unregistered industries will be scrapped
Recently, the Industrial Business Act has stipulated the administration and registration of micro entrepreneurs to the local government. Director Acharya informed that the number of industries operating without registration is estimated to be more than those registered and operating in the province.
According to him, the information has been published for the entrepreneurs after receiving complaints that the unregistered industries have created chaotic and unhealthy competition.
He said that an ultimatum of one month has been given to those who operate without registering their business under the Industrial Business Act.
Reduction in revenue due to discount
Acharya said that revenue collection could not increase despite the increase in the number of registrations due to the government waiving the registration fee for women.
There is 50 per cent discount for women entrepreneurs and 80 per cent discount for Janajati and Dalits.
Acharya informed that the registration and renewal fee is negligible.
In Gandaki, about Rs. 80 million revenue was collected from the industrial sector last year and Rs. 100 million has been collected in eight months of the current fiscal year.
Although the number of people doing business has increased after the government encouraged various entrepreneurs with various discount facilities, some entrepreneurs have been displaced due to COVID.
Source : THE RISING NEPAL,
