CHANDIGARH, Oct 3 — The Chandigarh Administration is set to roll out a dedicated policy for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by the end of this year, aligning with the Centre’s initiative under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme. Supported by the Ministry of MSME and the World Bank, the scheme seeks to enhance competitiveness, expand access to credit and markets, and address long-standing challenges faced by the sector.
Currently, Chandigarh is home to nearly 56,000 MSME units, and industrialists have long called for the formal adoption of the MSME Act to provide a structured framework for growth. A senior official from the Industries Department confirmed that the draft policy is under preparation. “We are hopeful of rolling it out by year-end. The policy will provide incentives to several sectors, including tourism. Chandigarh is also committed to emerging as a regional IT and start-up capital, with a focus on digital infrastructure, ecosystem building, and supporting women and youth-led entrepreneurship,” the official said.
Deputy Commissioner-cum-Industries Secretary Nishant Yadav said MSMEs form the backbone of the local economy, particularly in IT and professional services, which employ over 50,000 professionals. “The future of Chandigarh lies in embracing technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, blockchain, and cloud computing. These are opening up immense opportunities for innovation and start-ups,” he noted.
Yadav added that local MSMEs are already adopting digital tools and AI-based solutions to expand both nationally and globally. Under the RAMP scheme, interventions are being actively implemented in Chandigarh to promote skilling, digital adoption, technology upgrades, and stronger market linkages.
To participate in the scheme, the UT prepared a strategic investment plan (SIP) with support from M/s EY LLP. Submitted in February last year and approved by the Ministry of MSME, the plan sanctioned ₹43.07 crore for 12 key interventions. One of the most significant interventions is the MSME facilitation helpdesk, which includes upgraded IT infrastructure within the UT Industries Department. The initiative has established a modern conference room, an MSME facilitation helpdesk, a global information and market facilitation (GIFT) cell, a programme implementation unit, and a RAMP state programme implementation unit (SPIU), among other facilities.
Despite these initiatives, industry leaders say Chandigarh’s growth potential remains largely untapped. Naveen Manglani, vice-president of the Chamber of Chandigarh Industries, said bureaucratic hurdles continue to stifle progress. “Chandigarh’s stagnation is not due to lack of potential, but due to outdated estate laws and red tape. Look at Mohali and Panchkula, where industries are thriving. Chandigarh must learn from their success. We need visionary leadership, inclusive decision-making, and reforms that truly enable ease of doing business,” he said.
Calling for bold reforms, Manglani stressed that Chandigarh’s economic prosperity depends on breaking free from rigid rules and ushering in a new era of industrial growth.
