Problems are faced by Small and Micro Industries
This sector can stimulate economic activity and is entrusted with the responsibility of realising various objectives generation of more employment opportunities with less investment, reducing regional imbalances etc. Small scale industries are not in a position to play their role effectively due to various constraints. The various constraints, the various problems faced by small scale industries are as under.
(1) Finance:
Finance is one of the most important problem confronting small scale industries Finance is the life blood of an organisation and no organisation can function proper ? in the absence of adequate funds. The scarcity of capital and inadequate availability of credit facilities are the major causes of this problem.
Firstly, adequate funds are not available and secondly, entrepreneurs due to weak economic base, have lower credit worthiness. Neither they are having their own resources now are others prepared to lend them. Entrepreneurs are forced to borrow money from money lenders at exorbitant rate of interest and this upsets all their calculations.
After nationalisation, banks have started financing this sector. These enterprises are still struggling with the problem of inadequate availability of high cost funds. These enterprises are promoting various social objectives and in order to facilitate then working adequate credit on easier terms and conditions must be provided to them.
(2) Raw Material:
Small scale industries normally tap local sources for meeting raw material requirements. These units have to face numerous problems like availability of inadequate quantity, poor quality and even supply of raw material is not on regular basis. All these factors adversely affect the functioning of these units.
Large scale units, because of more resources, normally corner whatever raw material that is available in the open market. Small scale units are thus forced to purchase the same raw material from the open market at very high prices. It will lead to increase in the cost of production thereby making their functioning unviable.
(3) Idle Capacity:
There is under utilisation of installed capacity to the extent of 40 to 50 percent in case of small scale industries. Various causes of this under-utilisation are shortage of raw material problem associated with funds and even availability of power. Small scale units are not fully equipped to overcome all these problems as is the case with the rivals in the large scale sector.
(4) Technology:
Small scale entrepreneurs are not fully exposed to the latest technology. Moreover, they lack requisite resources to update or modernise their plant and machinery Due to obsolete methods of production, they are confronted with the problems of less production in inferior quality and that too at higher cost. They are in no position to compete with their better equipped rivals operating modem large scale units.
(5) Marketing:
These small scale units are also exposed to marketing problems. They are not in a position to get first hand information about the market Le about the competition, taste, liking, disliking of the consumers and prevalent fashion.
With the result they are not in a position to upgrade their products keeping in mind market requirements. They are producing less of inferior quality and that too at higher costs. Therefore, in competition
with better equipped large scale units they are placed in a relatively disadvantageous position.
In order to safeguard the interests of small scale enterprises the Government of India has reserved certain items for exclusive production in the small scale sector. Various government agencies like Trade Fair Authority of India, State Trading Corporation and the National Small Industries Corporation are extending helping hand to small scale sector in selling its products both in the domestic and export markets.
(6) Infrastructure:
Infrastructure aspects adversely affect the functioning of small scale units. There is inadequate availability of transportation, communication, power and other facilities in the backward areas. Entrepreneurs are faced with the problem of getting power connections and even when they are lucky enough to get these they are exposed to unscheduled long power cuts.
Inadequate and inappropriate transportation and communication network will make the working of various units all the more difficult. All these factors are going to adversely affect the quantity, quality and production of the enterprises operating in these areas. Thus their operations will become uneconomical and unviable.
(7) Under Utilisation of Capacity:
Most of the small-scale units are working below full potentials or there is gross of capacities. Large scale units are working for 24 hours a day i.e. in three shifts of 8 hours each > and are thus making best possible use of their machinery and equipments.
On the other hand small scale units are making only 40 to 50 percent use of their installed capacities. Various reasons attributed to this gross under- utilisation of capacities are problems of finance, raw material, power and underdeveloped markets for their products.
(8) Project Planning:
Another important problem faced by small scale entrepreneurs is poor project planning. These entrepreneurs do not attach much
significance to viability studies i.e. both technical and economical and plunge into entrepreneurial activity out of mere enthusiasm and excitement.
They do not bother to study the demand aspect, marketing problems, and sources of raw materials and even availability of proper infrastructure before starting their enterprises. Project feasibility analysis covering all these aspects in addition to technical and financial viability of the projects, is not at all given due weight-age.
Inexperienced and incomplete documents which invariably results in delays in completing promotional formalities. Small entrepreneurs often submit unrealistic feasibility reports and incompetent entrepreneurs do not fully understand project details.
Moreover, due to limited financial resources they cannot afford to avail services of project consultants. This result is poor project planning and execution. There is both time interests of these small scale enterprises.
(9) Skilled Manpower:
A small scale unit located in a remote backward area may not have problem with respect to unskilled workers, but skilled workers are not available there. The reason is Firstly, skilled workers may be reluctant to work in these areas and secondly, the enterprise may not afford to pay the wages and other facilities demanded by these workers.
Besides non-availability entrepreneurs are confronted with various other problems like absenteeism, high labour turnover indiscipline. strike etc. These labour related problems result in lower productivity, deterioration of quality, increase in wastages, and rise in other overhead costs and finally adverse impact on the profitability of these small scale units.
(10) Managerial:
Managerial inadequacies pose another serious problem for small scale units. Modern business demands vision, knowledge, skill, aptitude and whole hearted devotion. Competence of the entrepreneur is vital for the success of any venture. An entrepreneur is a pivot around whom the entire enterprise revolves.
Many small scale units have turned sick due to lack of managerial Competence on the part of entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur who is required to undergo training and counseling for developing his managerial skills will add to the problems of entrepreneurs.
The small scale entrepreneurs have to encounter numerous problems relating to overdependence on institutional agencies for funds and consultancy services, lack of credit-worthiness, education, training, lower profitability and host of marketing and other problems. The Government of India has initiated various schemes aimed at improving the overall functioning of these units.
Measures to remove difficulties faced by Small-Scale Industries in India!
It will be noted that small scale industrial units experience serious handicaps by an inequitable allocation system for scarce raw materials, inadequate institutional finance, poor technical skill and managerial ability, and lack of marketing channels.
It is, therefore, essential to develop an overall approach to remove these difficulties and put the small-scale industrial sector on a sound path of development.
In this connection, the following measures may be suggested:
1. Equitable allocation of raw materials, imported components and equipment.
2. Improvement in the methods and techniques of production.
3. Provision for adequate finance.
4. Marketing assistance.
5. Provision for industrial education and training.
6. Demarcating spheres for large-scale and small-scale units.
(1) Equitable Allocation of Raw Materials, Imported Components and Equipment:
The small scale industrial units should be given adequate degree of priority in the allocation pattern of essential, but scarce, raw materials, imported components and equipment.
(2) Improvement in the Methods and Techniques of Production:
The small scale industrial units should be encouraged to replace their outmoded equipment with that incorporating an up-to-date technology, and facilities and incentives should be provided wherever required.
Up-dating the methods and techniques of production of quality goods conforming to standards. The role of the Government in this respect is quite significant. Standardisation of certain products should be ensured, the quality of products should be guaranteed, and malpractices like adulteration, misrepresentation, etc., need to be curbed drastically.
(3) Provision of Adequate Finance:
Promoter’s own capital in the small-scale industrial units is generally small and generation of internal resources small and slow. They depend, therefore, on the external sources of finance in a substantial measure.
This factor requires, therefore, a system of integrated credit whereby the long-term as well as short-term finance is made available in an adequate measure and at a rate of interest which these undertakings can bear.
(4) Marketing Assistance:
Marketing of their products at remunerative prices is the major problem of small-scale industrial units. There is, therefore, a clear case for government intervention with a view to reducing the disadvantages arising out of market imperfections. Market research, intelligence and information systems should be strengthened and the results made available to those units.
(5) Industrial Education and Training:
With full advantages of changing technique of production. dispensation of technical knowledge, both to the small-scale entrepreneurs as well as their workers, should form an essential element of the overall strategy. Provision of adequate facilities for education and training, therefore cannot be over emphasised.
(6) Demarcation of Spheres of Large-Scale and Small-Scale Industrial Units:
Once the role of small-scale industries in the national economy is recognised, it becomes imperative that a secured berth is provided to it. In this connection the guiding principle should be to clearly demarcate, as possible, the spheres of production for these units. It may be pointed out that all the measures suggested above should be viewed as a package and applied simultaneously.
