Government giving boost to start-ups, says Amit Mitra

The state government is giving a big boost to start up businesses, state Finance and Industry minister Amit Mitra said at the state Assembly on Tuesday responding to a query from Congress MLA Asit Mitra regarding the progress of start-ups in the state.

"We have set up 21 start-up development centres in different parts of the state including Kolkata. These centres are providing advice and other necessary support to those who want to take up start-ups. The government has created a fund of Rs 200 crore for start-ups and to encourage start up businesses by offering Rs 10

lakh for entrepreneurs who want to do start up businesses," Mitra said.

According to Mitra, three such development centres have come up in Howrah, two in Nadia, one in Darjeeling, one in Jalpaiguri, three in Burdwan, two in Hooghly and one in Bankura.

Four nationalised banks have come forward and have joined hands with the state government for providing start up loans. "Start-ups are coming up in the field of education and also in healthcare pertaining to vaccination," the minister said.

In the Bengal Global Business Summit held in January 2017, there were separate sessions on start-ups. The managing director of Snapdeal came to the city and evinced interest in the start-ups in the state. "NASSCOM has come forward to encourage start ups. Start-ups are coming forward to assist police in curbing cyber crime," he said.

NASSCOM in March had launched East India's biggest start up showcase programme, to scale up investments in the eastern region.

The programme called 'Thrive30' is aimed at recognising and rewarding top five start-ups amongst the identified top 30 so that they get fame, exposure and support to grow to their fullest potential.