India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs continue to remain one of the strongest drivers of entrepreneurship, employment and economic momentum. Commenting on the Union Budget’s focus on the sector, Shwetank Dixit, Chief Growth Officer at Justdial, said the creation of a ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, along with a ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, marks a significant step in strengthening long-term MSME growth.
According to Dixit, the measures directly address three long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs—limited access to equity capital, inconsistent liquidity and delayed payments. He noted that structural reforms such as improved integration of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) could help improve cash flows and bring greater predictability to payment cycles.
Dixit also highlighted the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and simplified business processes as a critical enabler for MSMEs. As small businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms for discovery, market expansion and productivity gains, these initiatives provide a stronger foundation for sustainable scaling.
He added that a consistent policy focus on digital adoption and financial access will allow MSMEs to grow with greater confidence, efficiency and resilience.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Business Desk
Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), in association with the Department of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), successfully concluded the Goa MSME Adhiveshan 3.0 at the Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Goa. The event was organised under the leadership of Pallavi Salgaocar, Goa State President; Mudit Agarwaal, General Secretary; and Arman Bankley, Event Chair, and aimed to create a strong platform for dialogue and collaboration among MSME stakeholders.
The Adhiveshan brought together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to deliberate on growth strategies, innovation, and emerging opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises in Goa. The event was graced by distinguished dignitaries including Harsh Malhotra, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways; Dr Krishna Gopal, Seh Sarkaryawah, RSS and Sampark Adhikari, Laghu Udyog Bharati; Om Prakash Gupta, National General Secretary, LUB; and Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Industries and Transport, Government of Goa.
The MSME Knowledge Series featured a range of insightful sessions by industry experts. Shekar Sardessai, CMD of Kineco, delivered an inspiring address on export opportunities for MSMEs. CA Anup Tabe shared practical insights on leveraging artificial intelligence to drive MSME growth, while Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR–NIIST, highlighted new-age CSIR technologies relevant to small and medium enterprises. Arundhati Chattopadhyay, Regional Director, National Productivity Council (NPC), spoke on NPC initiatives, LEAN manufacturing, and the RAMP scheme of DITC in Goa. Ajit B. Chavan, Additional CEO and Chief Seller Officer, Government e-Marketplace, conducted an informative session on how MSMEs can effectively leverage the GeM platform.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs and industry stakeholders, fostering meaningful discussions and collaboration aimed at strengthening Goa’s MSME ecosystem. During the programme, a study report commissioned by Laghu Udyog Bharati Goa titled ‘Understanding the Challenges of MSMEs in Goa’ was released by Union Minister Harsh Malhotra. The study, conceptualised and executed by Yukti Insights LLP with support from DMC College and Research Centre, was based on extensive field research across MSMEs in the state.
Three entrepreneurs were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to the MSME sector, with Rajkumar Kamat receiving the MSME Leadership Award, Atul Pai Kane being honoured as Best Male Entrepreneur, and Shashi Soni recognised as Best Female Entrepreneur. Addressing the gathering, Harsh Malhotra highlighted national initiatives undertaken to improve ease of doing business, while Mauvin Godinho congratulated LUB Goa on the successful organisation of the event and reaffirmed the Goa Government’s continued support for MSMEs as a vital pillar of a sustainable and vibrant economy.
The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry has submitted its comprehensive Pre-Budget Memorandum for the Union Budget 2026–27, putting forward a wide range of recommendations to strengthen India’s tax and regulatory landscape. The Chamber emphasises that a simpler, more predictable and business-friendly system is essential for improving ease of doing business and sustaining long-term economic growth. The memorandum highlights the increasing complexity of TDS and TCS provisions, noting that over fifty withholding categories with varying thresholds and rates have created a heavy compliance burden for businesses and individuals. GCCI suggests consolidation of these provisions into fewer, standardised categories, coupled with a PAN-based reporting model, higher thresholds and lower deduction rates. It also proposes the introduction of a digital Tax Wallet to make payments and adjustments easier, much like the existing GST cash ledger.
The Chamber also stresses the need to incentivise compliant taxpayers. By prioritising faster processing of returns and refunds for those with strong compliance histories, and by reducing automated notices for such taxpayers, the government can reinforce a culture of voluntary compliance. GCCI also calls for renewed support for innovation, including reinstating the 200% weighted deduction for in-house R&D, especially vital for pharmaceutical, biotech and deep-tech industries where risk and gestation periods are high. To further boost investment and employment, particularly in Goa, GCCI urges the continuation of the 15% concessional corporate tax rate for new manufacturing units, extending eligibility until 2030.
Recognising the need for simpler tax return processes, GCCI recommends a fully integrated filing portal, dynamic ITR forms that activate relevant sections based on taxpayer inputs, extensive pre-filling using AIS/TIS data, and reduced duplication of information already submitted to agencies like GST or MCA. It also suggests creating dedicated annexures for special cases, including returns involving Goan residents governed by Section 10 (formerly Section 5A) under the Portuguese Civil Code, foreign asset disclosures, and corporate restructurings. The Chamber proposes that individual taxpayers should only fall under the 30% tax bracket beyond an annual income of ₹25 lakh and advocates for rationalising cesses and surcharges to create a clean, transparent rate structure. It also recommends extending Section 80TTA to include all types of deposit interest and raising the limit to ₹25,000, as well as allowing deductions for donations even under the new tax regime.
MSME reforms form a significant part of the memorandum, including the introduction of a Company Law and LLP Settlement Scheme for 2025, flexibility in presumptive taxation, presumptive options for LLPs, tax neutrality for LLP reorganisations and more practical deadlines for filing returns. GCCI stresses that the current ITR due dates for non-audit cases create challenges due to late population of TDS and SFT data, and therefore recommends fixing 31 August as the final deadline. It also calls for allowing carry-forward of losses even in belated or updated returns, reducing additional tax on updated returns and extending the filing window to all permissible reassessment years.
Addressing litigative issues, GCCI highlights problems such as delays in refund issuance for AY 2025–26, lack of clarity around CSR deductions and inconsistent treatment of employees’ PF/ESIC contributions. It appeals for statutory timelines for CIT(A) decisions, clearer internal SOPs for refund scrutiny, parity in interest computation on refunds and payments, and amendments to ensure interest on delayed TDS deposits is calculated only for the actual period of delay. For co-operative societies, GCCI urges CBDT to issue a circular clarifying that interest earned on deposits with co-operative banks qualifies for deduction under Section 80P(2)(d), helping resolve long-standing disputes and preventing unnecessary litigation.
Through these recommendations, GCCI aims to strengthen investor confidence, reduce administrative friction, support innovation, and boost economic activity across sectors, especially MSMEs, manufacturing and high-value industries. The memorandum reflects the Chamber’s vision for a more transparent, efficient and growth-oriented policy environment as India prepares for the Union Budget 2026–27.
Altinho, July 2025: To accelerate the expansion of digital infrastructure in Goa, the Government has designated the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) as the State Designated Department (SDD) for implementing the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024.
This move aims to simplify and speed up the approval process for setting up telecom infrastructure such as mobile towers, underground cables, and other digital connectivity systems. It reflects the government’s continued commitment to improving Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and enabling faster, single-window clearances.
DITE&C will serve as the nodal agency for all RoW permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) related to government land, under a centralized eServices portal developed by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India.
All other state departments are required to appoint Nodal Officers to ensure smooth coordination with the SDD.
Land usage charges and application fees for government and municipal land, including street furniture, will be collected by DITE&C appropriately transferred to the Treasury.
Local bodies, corporations, and municipalities land usage charges and application fees will be collected by DITE&C appropriately transferred to respective land-owning bodies.
Compensation for the use of public property for telecom infrastructure will be assessed and paid either once or annually, based on rates decided by the public authority.
This decision is expected to significantly improve Goa’s digital infrastructure, minimize approval delays, and support broader access to better mobile and internet services throughout the state.
