Soon, a free helpline for entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs of the country will soon be able to call up a national-level call-centre for information and to seek redress for their grievances.

Entrepreneurs of the country will soon be able to call up a national-level call-centre for information and to seek redress for their grievances.

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The ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) has modeled the call-centre — Udyami Helpline — on the single-window concept. A single toll-free number will serve businessmen across the country. The government has sanctioned Rs 7.6 crore for the helpline in the XIth Plan.

"This call-centre is an innovative idea of the ministry to disseminate information, help and support a large number of entrepreneurs based in far-removed destinations. It’s ready to be launched soon and its staff members are undergoing skill-development training," Dinesh Rai, secretary, ministry of MSME, told Hindustan Times.

The initiative kicked-off in 2009, after the ministry appointed Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) as its turnkey consultants, who in turn invited bids for operating the call-centre.

"Caretel Infotech has been assigned the job of operating Udyami Helpline, whereas we’ve provided financial support and database, along with monitoring of the centre," Rai said.

"It's a good move of the ministry, as it'll help a large number of existing and new entrepreneurs throughout the country in getting information in office or at home. However, its uniqueness and efficacy can only be judged once the call-centre becomes functional," said Anil Bhardwaj, secretary general of the Federation of Indian Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME).

"An appropriate interface will be established with each bank to ensure that the queries of MSMEs are satisfactorily replied and monitored till closure," said Rai.