Srikakulam: The `Parisramika Chaitanya Sadassu' for Development of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Industries (FAPI) at the Swarnandhra Juter Mills premises near Pydibheemvaram, about 40 from here on Thursday, reflected divergent views.

While FAPI president B.V.Rama Rao complained of non-cooperation from the banks in financing SMEs and even alleged that banks have not been following the guidelines of Reserve Bank of India, senior officials from banks who included Jogi Raju, Deputy General Manager, Andhra Bank, M. Somanadham, Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, D. Nageswara Rao, Assistant General Manager, National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development said that their banks were prepared to finance SMEs which was a priority sector. D. Sethi, Assistant General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, said that a special package was announced for SMEs and an empowering committee set up to monitor development of SMEs.

Incidentally, not a single prospective entrepreneur came to the dais to explain the problems that SMEs faced. District Collector A. Koteswara Rao, who was the chief guest, heard the bankers speak for more than an hour and left the meeting without speaking on the plea that he had to attend other meetings in connection with the visit of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to the district tomorrow.

Minister for Revenue and Relief Dharmana Prasada Rao and two ruling party MLAs who were scheduled to attend the meeting, failed to turn up.

Priority sector

A District Projects Guidance Committee had been set up to help prospective entrepreneurs, Mr. Nageswara Rao said. Ramakrishna Prasad, Lead Bank (Andhra Bank) Manager, in the district said that industry was a priority sector this year and the target was increased to Rs.60 crores this year. He wanted any problem to be brought to his notice so that loans could be made available in time. In respect of Prime Ministers Rojgar Yojna, the sanctions were good, but somehow, grounding of units was bad, Mr. Prasad observed.

In his presidential address, B.V. Rama Rao asked prospective entrepreneurs to write to the FAPI about their problems and the same would be sent to the officers concerned and a solution found. Other speakers like Rajeswara Rao, AGM, SBI, pointed to the shortage of entrepreneurship talent. Venkateswara Rao Environmental Engineer, suggested prospective entrepreneurs to consult the department before selecting the location of the unit.

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