Small Scale Industries in Kolkata, West Bengal have been playing a crucial role in the socio-economic development of the country. They have not only generated employment opportunities but have also helped in the infrastructure building, skill-training, alleviation of poverty, protection of cultural heritage and have significantly increased exports in the country. Their total contribution is around 8% of the country’s total GDP, with around 45% of the total manufacturing output in the country, and accounts for 40% of the country’s exports and are known as the ‘Backbone of the Indian economy.’
Recognizing the importance in the growth & development of the country, the Government of India has set up the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) for providing necessary assistance, encouragement, and support to the Small Scale Industries (SSI) in Kolkata, West Bengal by acting as an intermediary between the Ministry of Micro, Small &Govt. of Kolkata, West Bengal and SSIs. As a result of which there are as many as 6.3 Crores, SSIs registered in India to date
Strategically located in the Eastern part of the country at the East coast of Bay of Bengal, sharing inland borders with Sikkim, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha. Countries adjoining internationally are Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal, forming a perfect gateway to Southeast Asia and North East India.
West Bengal is encompassed by a thick network of roads running around 3,15,404 km with road density of 333.5 km per 1000 sq meter and rail network of 4,000 km across the state. This state also has the second largest metro rail network in the country and 3rd largest in the country in terms of road coverage, inclusive of 16 National Highways and 2 Asian Highways. Bestowed with the natural maritime rewards and navigable waterways with 950 km of waterfront including 13% of the total national coastline. With two major ports, one at Kolkata and the other at Haldia, the oldest maritime infrastructure of the country is present here and serving well. It has a prominent presence at the international air map too, with 1 airport at Kolkata and the other at Bagdogra, a private sector green field airport at Andal West Bardhanam also taps the flights, connecting this region with the outside world.
Government owned Bengal Silicon Valley Hub launched in 2018 has more than 100 acres of land allotted, with more than 20 organisations including First-source Solutions Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services, Vikram Solar, Indo-Japan Horological Pvt Ltd, Reliance Corporate IT Park etc. it is a home to 17 Government IT Parks and 4 other upcoming IT Parks which are at different stages of construction situated at Rajarhat (Ph-1), Sector V (BN-4), and Kalyani (PH-2).
Land of the famous Darjeeling tea, it stands 2nd in production of tea in the country. Highest produce of rice and vegetables comes from this region and West Bengal is also a hub to Leather Goods Exports from India.
With 32% of urbanisation rate, the state has 950 females per 1000 males. 59.8% of the total population of the region falls between the age group of 20-59 years and is the 4th most populous states of the country, with 91.3 million citizens and 77.1% of literacy rate. This state is inhibited by 1 Central University, 42 State Universities, 11 Private Universities, 94 Engineering Colleges, 46 Management Institutes, 93 Polytechnic Institutes, 278 Industrial Training Institutes and 18 Medical Colleges.
Investment opportunities in West Bengal value more than $694.04 bn, comprising of a total of 1144 projects out of which 9 are private and 1135 are Government owned projects, with 195 promoters involved, spread across 25 districts of the state, which makes West Bengal a perfect breeding ground for developmental projects in the commercial segment. Prestigious Government schemes are also running here like Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana Gramin which values about $59.37 bn, Pradahan Mantri gram Sadak Yojana Project costs a whooping amount of $50.22 bn, Wind Power Project worth $56.46 bn and Solar Power Project with aggregate value of $63.55 bn.
However, for the purpose of recognition and becoming eligible to receive benefits specifically made available for SSIs in Kolkata, West Bengal, the SSIs must obtain NSIC registration. Apart from the above–mentioned functions, the NSIC offers the following to SSIs in Kolkata, West Bengal-
- Offering Single Point Registration system to SSIs for ensuring their participation in government purchases;
- Running Developmental Schemes for MSMEs for better competitiveness;
- Integrated support services to MSMEs concerning financing facilities, marketing & technology;
- Offering programs for skill development through training to SSIs;
Eligibility Criteria for NSIC Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal
- Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Kolkata, West Bengal involved in manufacturing & Services are eligible for registration. The revised definition of MSME under the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act 2006, provides for the following –
- Micro Enterprises- Enterprises in Kolkata, West Bengal holding an investment in Plant & Machinery up to Rs. One crore and an annual turnover up to Rs. Five crores.
- Small Enterprises- Enterprises in Kolkata, West Bengal holding an investment in Plant & Machinery up to Rs. Ten crores along with an annual turnover up to Rs. Fifty crores.
- Medium Enterprises- Enterprises in Kolkata, West Bengal possessing an investment in Plant & Machinery up to Rs. Fifty crores along with an annual turnover up to Rs. Two hundred Fifty crores.
- Traders shall be ineligible for registration under the NSIC Scheme.
- Such SSI must have already initiated their commercial production but shouldn’t have completed one year from the date of commencement shall qualify for SSI provisional registration after which such SSI will eligible for obtaining full registration.
Process of NSIC Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal
- Offline Process of Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal-
As the first point for the NSIC registration process, the applicant shall be required to either download the ‘Point of Interest’ form by accessing the website www.nsicspronline.com or get the application from the local NSIC Zonal/Branch/Sub Branch and Sub Office/Extension office of NSIC, along with the prescribed documents and requisite fee which will depend upon the net sales turnover as per the latest audited financial statements of the MSME for SSI registration & renewal purposes.
Once the application is submitted, such application shall be forwarded to the inspection authority along with a duplicate copy of the G.P. registration application form along with documents and inspection charges remitted in favor of the inspection agency along with a formal request for undertaking and completing the technical inspection of the applicant enterprise and forwarding their opinions in this matter.
Finally, the NSIC authority gets satisfied with the application contents and the opinions made by the Inspection authority, the NSIC authority may grant Single Point Registration Certificate (SPRS) to such application.
Online Process of Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal-
Provided below is the step-by-step process of the NSIC registration in Kolkata, West Bengal-
- Firstly, the applicant SSI will be required to obtain the unique Udyam registration in India, by getting themselves registered under the MSME portal by accessing https://udyamregistration.gov.in/Government-India/Ministry-MSME-registration.html.
- Once a unique Udyam Aadhaar number is obtained, such MSME will be required to get themselves on the NSIC portal by providing PAN number and the unique Aadhaar number (UAM), under the Single Point Registration System.
- Click the application form fill in the requisite details and attach all required documents with prescribed documents in pdf form.
- Submit the requisite fee dependent upon the net sales turnover as per the latest audited financial statements of the MSME for SSI registration & renewal purposes and submit the form.
- On verification of the application and the attached documents, the NSIC authority may accept the application and the certificate could be downloaded from the portal online and will also be sent by post.
Benefits of NSIC registration in Kolkata, West Bengal
- Availment of Government Benefits for SSIs in Kolkata, West Bengal-
MSEs who are registered under the NSIC registration in Kolkata, West Bengal become eligible to seek benefits as offered under the “Public Procurement Policy for MSEs (2012)”, as directed by the Government of India.
- Allotment Of Tenders Free Of Cost
Obtaining registration in Kolkata, West Bengal under NSIC allows the MSEs to be allotted tenders without any applicable costs;
- No requirement of Earnest Money Deposits
MSMEs who have acquired NSIC registration in Kolkata, West Bengal have been exempted from the requirement of making payment of Earnest money deposits, which is generally required from the bidder to assure his seriousness towards the tender contract.
- Helps in the Growth of SSI business in Kolkata, West Bengal
For ensuring the growth and development of the MSEs, the NSIC has reserved as many as 358 items to be purchased from them only.
- Assistance in Fair Tender Allotment to the SSIs
NSIC allows fair tender bidding to SSIs for the allotment of tenders at lesser prices.
- Quota Reservation for SSIs in Kolkata, West Bengal-
To benefit SSI units involving SC/STs, a total of 4% supplies have been reserved out of the total 20% annual supplies requirement from the MSEs
- Overall Growth & development of the SSIs in Kolkata, West Bengal
To provide encouragement and necessary training assistance to the MSMEs in Kolkata, West Bengal, the NSIC undertakes various programs for resolving problems such as Marketing, Technology, Finance, and other similar fields.
- Validity of NSIC Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal
The NSIC registration certificate granted under the Single Point Registration System shall be valid for two years after a careful review and continuous verification of the Commercial & Technical Competencies (CTC) of such registered MSME.
MSMEs who have obtained an MSME certificate in Kolkata, West Bengal but have not completed one year from the date of commencement of their commercial production will be issued a provisional certificate under SPRS with a monetary limit of 5.00 lakh and will be valid for 1 year.
NSIC SPRS Registration Fees in Kolkata, West Bengal
NSIC registration & renewal fees in Kolkata, West Bengal will vary depending upon the annual turnover and the latest audited balance sheet and shall not include the inspection fee charged by the inspection authority and shall be levied as follows-
| Purpose | Turnover Limit | Fee |
| 1. For Fresh Registration of Micro & Small Enterprises
For Micro Enterprises |
i. Turnover Up to 100 lakh
ii. Turnover above 100 lakh |
Every Micro Enterprise- Rs. 3000/-
Every Small Enterprise- Rs 5000/-
For Micro Enterprise Rs. 3000 plus Rs. 1500 for every additional turnover above Rs. 100 Lakh;
For Small Enterprise Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2000 for every additional turnover over Rs. 100 Lakh |
| 2. For amendments/changes in stores in terms of quality or quantity, or the purpose of issuance of change in the monetary limit or any other changes in NSIC certificate | 50 % of the proposed changes in Step i. for MSME, with a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000. | |
| 3. Renewal of the G.P. certificate issued with a validity period of two years | 50 % of the proposed changes in Step i. for MSME, with a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000. | |
| 4. For MSE’s located in North-Eastern Regions in Kolkata, West Bengal | 20% concession in Fee. |
Note- Such fee charged shall be exclusive of the GST payments and shall not be above the value of Rs. 1 Lakh in any case.
Documents Required for Registration in Kolkata, West Bengal
- Copy of self-attested documents (in duplicate) such as PAN, Udyog Aadhaar Memorandum, and the details of the MSE;
- Declaration by the MSE that such entity has obtained registration under the MSME portal;
- Copy of the proof of ownership of the business premises, and other important items such as Plant& Machinery , Equipment’s, and other tools;
- Copy of the performance statement as provided under Annexure F;
- Copy of the self-attested copy of ownership documents of the registered premises of the business entity;
- Copy of sale deed (where applicable)
- Copy of declaration from the directors of the MSE they do/do not have any link with large-scaled units;
- Further, the documents provided below must be signed by the authorized person of the MSE-
- Copy of the PAN & Aadhaar number of such person;
- Copy of latest electricity bills;
- Copy of the proof of the existence of business at least since last three years;
- A list of the total number of employees working in production/services of the MSE;
- Details on the quality control measurement practiced by the entity;
- Copy of the latest audited balance sheet & P&L statement of the organization;
Process of Renewal in Kolkata, West Bengal
On the expiry of the NSIC registration in Kolkata, West Bengal after the expiry of two years (one year in case of provisional registration), the entity will be eligible to apply for the renewal of registration either through online mode or by directly contacting the local NSIC office in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Where the applicant makes an application for renewal of registration before the expiry of the SPRS certification, he/she will be eligible to get up to 50% concession on the renewal fee.
On completion of the process, the renewed certificate will be available on the NSIC portal and a copy of the physical certificate will be sent through post to the MSE in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Conclusion
Thus, the NSIC registration is an important and beneficial registration for the MSEs which provided them with multiple benefits and necessary assistance from the Government such as training, finance and marketing assistance, free tender allotment, etc. and many more, which can also help in the ultimate growth of the MSE into a bigger corporation.