Information needs of small scale industries in Anantapur district a case study

Abstract

newline The term Small Scale Industry has many synonyms, such as Small enterprise , Small Undertaking , Small Unit , Small Scale Sector , Small Industrial enterprise , Small Industry etc. In fact, these terms are used by different authors to convey the same meaning. newlineThe definition of Small Scale Industry is not a universal one. Different countries of the world, at different times, have defined the term in different ways to meet the needs of time and pace. In fact, it is the outcome of a process of evolution, pragmatic to the circumstance of each country. In India, prior to independence, the British rules where almost indifferent to the development of this sector for obvious reasons. The term commonly used during those days was quotcottage and small scale industriesquot.1 quotThey were indigenous by nature and flourished spontaneously out of the historical background of the days, 2 in a very humble way without any nursing by the state. But after attainment of political independence, the national government Started taking active interest in the development of small scale industries from 1947, when the conference on industrial development took note on the necessity of development in this field. Following its recommendation the cottage industries board was setup as an adviser body. 3 But soon the board realized the diverse problems confronted by the various groups of industries of the sector and advised the government of India to setup separate organization to look after the interest of each group of industry. Accordingly, five boards where setup during 952-53 for handloom, handicrafts, coin, silk and khadi and village industries. 4 In the meantime, the Government of India realized that if its desire to develop small scale industrial sector is to be materialized, there should be a well-chalked out promotional measures, pragmatic to the circumstance to which the Indian economy was subjected newline