The government proposes to launch new schemes and initiatives to supplement the efforts of states and union territories by providing supportive measures to enhance the competitiveness of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

The measures, including ongoing schemes as well as new schemes under the package for promotion of micro and small enterprises announced in February, are expected to boost employment generation in the country, minister of micro, small and medium enterprises Mahabir Prasad informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

The new initiatives for the promotion and development of MSMEs include:

* Scheme for financial assistance to select management/business schools and technical institutes to conduct tailor made courses;

* Scheme for financial assistance to five select universities/colleges to run 1,200 entrepreneurial clubs;

* Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana to assist potential 1.5 lakh first-generation entrepreneurs in completion of various formalities and tasks necessary for setting up of their enterprises and to facilitate them in completing the required formalities during the course of eleventh plan;

* Scheme for Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) by merger of existing REGP and PMRY Schemes (proposed);

* Package for developing infrastructure for Khadi Institutions including nursing fund for weak institutions (proposed);

* Workshed scheme for Khadi artisans;

* Scheme for enhancing productivity and competitiveness of Khadi industries and artisans (proposed); and

* Scheme for rejuvenation, modernisation and technological upgradation of coir industry.

The government has also announced 10-point initiatives under the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP), to be implemented during eleventh plan period in MSME clusters in the public private partnership (PPP) mode, the minister said.