The government announced a much-awaited economic package for MSMEs which has given a sigh of relief amid the economic slowdown due to Covid-19 crisis on 13th May, 2020. The relief package is expected to infuse fresh life into the country’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which account for almost 30 percent of the national GDP and is the backbone of Indian economy. 

With a series of encouraging announcements, the Finance Minister outlined the government’s plan to raise the morale of the industry and the MSME sector in particular. Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, several measures for MSMEs were announced that are expected to help 45 lakh business units resume their operations.

Definition of  MSME ?

As per the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ scheme announced 

  • Definition of MSMEs is revised
  • Investment limit revised upwards
  • Additional criteria of turnover also being introduced.
  • Distinction between the manufacturing and service sector has been eliminated.

Benefits for MSMEs. 

Emergency Credit Line to Businesses/MSMEs from Banks and NBFCs up to 20% of entire outstanding credit as on 29.2.2020

  1. Borrowers with up to Rs. 25 crore outstanding and Rs. 100 crore turnover eligible
  2. Loans to have 4 year tenor with moratorium of 12 months on Principal repayment
  3. Interest to be capped
  4. 100% credit guarantee cover to Banks and NBFCs on principal and interest
  5. No guarantee fee, no fresh collateral

Rs 20,000 crores Subordinate Debt for Functioning MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed.

  • Stressed MSMEs need equity support
  • GoI will facilitate provision of Rs. 20,000 cr as subordinate debt
  • Two lakh MSMEs are likely to benefit
  • Functioning MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed will be eligible
  • Govt. will provide a support of Rs. 4,000 Cr. to CGTMSE
  • CGTMSE will provide partial Credit Guarantee support to Banks
  • Promoters of the MSME will be given debt by banks, which will then be infused by promoters as equity in the Unit.

Rs 20,000 crores Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs

  • Stressed MSMEs need equity support
  • GoI will facilitate provision of Rs. 20,000 cr as subordinate debt
  • Two lakh MSMEs are likely to benefit
  • Functioning MSMEs which are NPA or are stressed will be eligible
  • Govt. will provide a support of Rs. 4,000 Cr. to CGTMSE
  • CGTMSE will provide partial Credit Guarantee support to Banks
  • Promoters of the MSME will be given debt by banks, which will then be infused by promoters as equity in the Unit.

Rs 50,000 cr. Equity infusion for MSMEs through Fund of Funds

  • MSMEs face severe shortage of Equity.
  • Fund of Funds with Corpus of Rs 10,000 crores will be set up.
  • Will provide equity funding for MSMEs with growth potential and viability.
  • FoF will be operated through a Mother Fund and few daughter funds
  • Fund structure will help leverage Rs 50,000 cr of funds at daughter funds level
  • Will help to expand MSME size as well as capacity.
  • Will encourage MSMEs to get listed on the main board of Stock Exchanges.

Rs 50,000 cr. Equity infusion for MSMEs through Fund of Funds.

Global tenders will be disallowed in Government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores.

  • Indian MSMEs and other companies have often faced unfair competition from foreign companies.
  • Therefore, Global tenders will be disallowed in Government procurement tenders upto Rs 200 crores
  • Necessary amendments of General Financial Rules will be effected.
  • This will be a step towards Self-Reliant India and support Make in India
  • This will also help MSMEs to increase their business.

Rs. 2500 crore EPF Support for Business & Workers for 3 more months

  • Businesses continue to face financial stress as they get back to work.
  • Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), payment of 12% of employer and 12% employee contributions was made into EPF accounts of eligible establishments.
  • This was provided earlier for salary months of March, April and May 2020
  • This support will be extended by another 3 months to salary months of June, July and August 2020
  • This will provide liquidity relief of Rs 2500 cr to 3.67 lakh establishments and for 72.22 lakh employees.

EPF contribution reduced for Business & Workers for 3 months- Rs 6750 crores Liquidity Support

  • Businesses need support to ramp up production over the next quarter.
  • It is necessary to provide more take home salary to employees and also to give relief to employers in payment of Provident Fund dues,
  • Therefore, statutory PF contribution of both employer and employee will be reduced to 10% each from existing 12% each for all establishments covered by EPFO for next 3 months.
  • CPSEs and State PSUs will however continue to contribute 12% as employer
  • This scheme will be applicable for workers who are not eligible for 24% EPF support under PM Garib Kalyan Package and its extension.
  • This will provide relief to about 6.5 lakh establishments covered under EPFO and about 3 crore such employees.
  • This will provide liquidity of Rs 6750 Crore to employers and employees over 3 months.

Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs/HFCs/MFIs

  • NBFCs/HFCs/MFIs are finding it difficult to raise money in debt markets.
  • Government will launch a Rs 30,000 crore Special Liquidity Scheme
  • Under this scheme investment will be made in both primary and secondary market transactions in investment grade debt paper of NBFCs/HFCs/MFIs
  • Will supplement RBI/Government measures to augment liquidity
  • Securities will be fully guaranteed by GoI
  • This will provide liquidity support for NBFCs/HFC/MFIs and mutual funds and create confidence in the market.

Rs 45,000 crore Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0 for NBFCs

  • NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs with low credit rating require liquidity to do fresh lending to MSMEs and individuals
  • Existing PCGS scheme to be extended to cover borrowings such as primary issuance of Bonds/ CPs (liability side of balance sheets) of such entities
  • First 20% of loss will be borne by the Guarantor ie., Government of India.
  • AA paper and below including unrated paper eligible for investment (esp. relevant for many MFIs)
  • This scheme will result in liquidity of Rs 45,000 crores

Rs. 90,000 Cr. Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs

  • Revenues of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) have plummeted.
  • Unprecedented cash flow problem accentuated by demand reduction
  • DISCOM payables to Power Generation and Transmission Companies is currently ~ Rs 94,000 cr
  • PFC/REC to infuse liquidity of Rs 90,000 cr to DISCOMs against receivables
  • Loans to be given against State guarantees for exclusive purpose of discharging liabilities of Discoms to Gencos.
  • Linkage to specific activities/reforms: Digital payments facility by Discoms for consumers, liquidation of outstanding dues of State Governments, Plan to reduce financial and operational losses.
  • Central Public Sector Generation Companies shall give rebate to Discoms which shall be passed on to the final consumers (industries)

Relief to Contractors

  • Extension of up to 6 months (without costs to contractor) to be provided by all Central Agencies (like Railways, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Central Public Works Dept, etc)
    • Covers construction/ works and goods and services contracts
    • Covers obligations like completion of work, intermediate milestones etc. and extension of Concession period in PPP contracts
  • Government agencies to partially release bank guarantees, to the extent contracts are partially completed, to ease cash flows

Extension of Registration and Completion

Date of Real Estate Projects under RERA

  • Adverse impact due to COVID and projects stand the risk of defaulting on RERA timelines. Time lines need to be extended.
  • Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will advise States/UTs and their Regulatory Authorities to the following effect:
    • Treat C OVID- 19 as an event of ‘Force Majeure ’under RERA.
    • Extend the registration and completion date suo-moto by 6 months for all registered projects expiring on or after 25th March, 2020 without individual applications.
    • Regulatory Authorities may extend this for another period of upto 3 months, if needed
    • Issue fresh ‘Project Registration Certificates’ automatically with revised timelines.
    • Extend timelines for various statuary compliances under RERA concurrently.
  • These measures will de-stress real estate developers and ensure completion of projects so that homebuyers are able to get delivery of their booked houses with new timelines.

Rs 50,000 crores liquidity through TDS/TCS rate reduction

  • In order to provide more funds at the disposal of the taxpayers, the rates of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) for non-salaried specified payments made to residents and rates of Tax Collection at Source (TCS) for the specified receipts shall be reduced by 25% of the existing rates.
  • Payment for contract, professional fees, interest, rent, dividend, commission, brokerage, etc. shall be eligible for this reduced rate of TDS.
  • This reduction shall be applicable for the remaining part of the FY 2020-21 i.e. from tomorrow to 31 st March, 2021.
  • This measure will release Liquidity of Rs. 50,000 crore.

Other Direct Tax Measures

  • All pending refunds to charitable trusts and non‑corporate businesses & professions including proprietorship, partnership, LLP and Co-operatives shall be issued immediately.
  • Due date of all income-tax return for FY 2019-20 will be extended from 31st July, 2020 & 31st October, 2020 to 30th November, 2020 and Tax audit from 30th September, 2020 to 31st October,2020.
  • Date of assessments getting barred on 30th September,2020 extended to 31st December, 2020 and those getting barred on 31 st March,2021 will be extended to 30th September, 2021.
  • Period of Vivad se Vishwas Scheme for making payment without additional amount will be extended to 31st December, 2020.

How to become a MSME?

Any existing functioning or new business set up fulfilling the eligibility criteria can apply for MSME registration through https://udyogaadhaar.gov.in, national portal for registration of MSME. Aadhar Card is compulsory in the registration of MSME. 

Other Important Measures: 

  • Rs 3 lakh crores Collateral free Automatic Loans for Business.
  • Rs 2500 crores EPF support for Businesses and Workers for 3 more months
  • EPF contribution reduced for Business & Workers for 3 months- Rs 6750 crores
  • Rs 30,000 crores Liquidity Facility for NBFC/HCs/MFIs
  • Rs 45,000 cr Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme 2.0 for NBFC
  • Rs 90,000 cr Liquidity Injection for DISCOMs
  • Extension of Registration and Completion Date of Real Estate Projects under RERA
  • Rs 50,000 cr liquidity through TDS/TCS reductions
  • Other Direct tax Measures
  • Other Direct Tax Measures

FAQs

MSME covers only manufacturing and service industries. Trading companies are not covered by the scheme.