From the Presidential Podium

I am deeply honoured and privileged to be chosen by you to serve the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association as its President for the period 2024-25. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you for reposing your faith in me and my team. Your overwhelming support and confidence inspire us to strive for excellence in serving our vibrant MSME community.

My journey as a veteran entrepreneur has instilled in me a profound understanding of the challenges and aspirations of MSMEs. I have always been committed to advocating for policies that foster growth and sustainability for our sector. As your President, I pledge to champion your interests tirelessly and ensure that our voices are heard at all levels.

I am particularly fortunate that my tenure coincides with the auspicious occasion of KASSIA’s Platinum Jubilee Year. This milestone is a testament to our collective dedication and resilience. To commemorate this historic event, I envision grand celebrations with top dignitaries gracing the occasion, showcasing our achievements and reinforcing our commitment to excellence.

Looking ahead, I am excited to announce our ambitious plans for the KASSIA Centre of Excellence & Innovation (KCoEI) at Dabaspet. This flagship project will be a cornerstone of my tenure, aimed at providing state-of-the-art facilities and resources to nurture innovation and skill development among our members. I am fully committed to ensuring its completion and making it a hub of excellence that propels our MSMEs towards global competitiveness.

Together, let us embark on this journey of growth and transformation. With your continued support and collaboration, I am confident that we will achieve remarkable milestones for our Association and the MSME sector at large.

Thank you once again for entrusting me with this responsibility. Let’s make this Platinum Jubilee Year a celebration of our past achievements and a launch-pad for an even brighter future.

On policy issues, KASSIA has expressed its serious concerns regarding the recently approved State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries Factories and Other Establishments Bill by the State Government, which mandates significant job reservations of 50-75% for Kannadigas in the private sector, including IT, with penalties for non-compliance.

We are relieved that the Government has taken pause and put the Bill on hild, after the backlash from industry bodies and captains of trade & services.

While KASSIA is committed to promoting local employment, high and unreasonable quotas will disrupt operations and hinder hiring of qualified candidates. It also gives scope for a gross misuse and undue scrutiny during inspections. The Government should instead look to enhance ease of doing business and address infrastructure and tariff issues first.

Warm regards

M.G. RAJAGOPAL