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Cluster Development Programme - UPTECH Programme


Integrated Technology Upgradation and Management Programme (UPTECH)

Introduction

Development Commissioner (Small Scale Industries) has launched a scheme namely the ‘Integrated Technology Upgradation and Management Programme' (UPTECH) in 1998. The scheme applies to any cluster of industries where there is a commonality in the method of production, quality control and testing, energy conservation, pollution control etc. among the units of the cluster. The scheme aims to take care of the modernisation and the technological needs of the cluster. It covers a comprehensive range of issues related to technology upgradation, improvement of productivity, energy conservation, pollution control, product diversification and their marketing, training needs etc.
Scope of the Scheme 

1. The scheme is exclusively for a cluster of industries. 
2.  To carry out the technology status and needs studies of identified clusters.
3.    To scout for and identify appropriate technologies and their providers on the basis of these status and needs studies. 
4.  To facilitate contract/need based research, if any required, to adapt the available technology to the specific needs of the end users.
5. To facilitate and promote the demonstration of technologies to the target groups of small enterprises.
6.  To promote and facilitate the delivery of the technology from its producer to the recipient user
7.  To promote the assimilation and diffusion of the identified technology across the cluster of small enterprises. 

Nodal Agency 

The Office of the Development Commissioner (Small Scale Industries) will act as the Nodal Agency. 

Monitoring of the scheme 

The scheme is monitored by the Implementation Committee. The Additional Secretary and Development Commissioner (SSI) is the Chairperson of the Committee. The other members of the Committee are the Director, IF Wing and the representatives of NRDC, NSIC, SIDBI, DC (SSI) and head of the agency engaged for the implementation. 

Financial Support 

a.                  Conducting diagnostic study of the cluster.  

b.                  Carrying out industries related R&D, if needed.  

c.                  Setting up of new technology demonstration plant  

d.                  Setting up of a Common Facility Centre, if required.  

e.                  Training of users.  

f.                    Seminar, workshops, study visits for quick dissemination of technology among the industries of the cluster.  

Amount of financial support 

The amount of financial support is not fixed but varies from project to project which is decided by the Steering Committee. 

For setting up of the demonstration plant, the pioneering unit has to bear 50% of its cost. 

Procedure for Sanction of Financial Support 

The proposal on the Technology Upgradation and Modernization of a cluster of Small Scale Industries are received from the expert agencies. The proposal should comprise of the planning, programming, executing, monitoring & the evaluation in tentative quantifiable terms. On the basis of the available reports, experience, status notes, etc. clusters are identified to be taken up for the Technology Upgradation. The Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary (SSI&ARI) approves the proposal. In those clusters where existing technology status information and the technology needs information is found to be insufficient, comprehensive diagnostic studies will be carried out and the findings are discussed with the concerned Associations. Accordingly, based on the findings of the diagnostic study, a Pioneering unit is selected for demonstration of the suggested measures. The demonstration effect is also meant for the other units in the cluster so that other units could adapt the suggested technological interventions. The Pioneering unit should bear 50% of the cost of Hardware. The Seminars, Workshops, Awareness Programmes and Training Programmes etc. are also conducted to make the units well aware of the interventions. The Common Facility Centre, if required, is also setup for the benefit of the Small Scale Industries. 

The amount of financial support is decided by the Committee on a case to case basis.  

Whom to Contact  

The following may be contacted for any clarifications/further information and for submission of proposals on UPTECH:

Shri Amir Subhani,
Joint Development Commissioner,
Office of the Development Commissioner (SSI),
7th Floor, Nirman Bhawan,
New Delhi-110011
Telephone Nos. Office:23010091
Fax: 23010430 

 Expected Deliverables and Outputs of UPTECH Scheme 

In overall terms, the programme is expected to promote and fund a series of projects to deliver technology from technology producer to the end user The deliverables of the project are indicated as follows:- 

1.                  Skills training in the nature of familiarisation to the end users. This shall be the capacity building component of the project. The programme is based on the premise that innate skills already exist with the local entrepreneurs. What is required is only a process of deepening of the skills and familiarisation with newer ways of doing things or utilising better methods.  

2.                  Technology status and technology needs studies.  

3.                  Kits for demonstration in the nature of benign catalysts. These may be simple tools and simple testing  

4.                  equipment that are cheap and have little or no maintenance charges.  

5.                  Common facility center/demonstration plants to be set up by the technology producer for the duration of the project.  

6.                  Escort services to the end users for availing loans and arranging funds.  

7.                  User manuals and guides where the technology intervention is in the nature of process changes.  

8.                  Project documentation for purposes of sharing with industry and replication.  

9.                  Auxiliary benefits in the nature of market assessment and product assessment.  

The two streams of activities that thus emerge are: - 

a.                  Study of processes wherein modernization can be brought about in the existing level of technology by mere tinkering in the process. This will not involve replacement of Plant and machinery. This is likely to benefit the units at the lower end of investment the most. 

b.                  As a parallel activity, there can be a study for further modifications in the existing plant and machinery, keeping the long term market and product assessment in view, which may necessitate a completely new approach to production, though not necessarily entailing a total change in plant and machinery. 

The latter part would involve a proper market and product assessment in the long term, taking into consideration the trends worldwide and hence such study may stretch over a period of 6-8 month, during which an idea of the new machinery to be introduced should be firmed up. At the end of the study, or after approximately 8 months, the technology provider should be able to have the demonstration plant manufactured and set up the same during the next 2-3 months. During the period, he is expected to have won the confidence of an individual firm/association, which would facilitate the demonstration and subsequent absorption of new technology. 

While executing essentially technology transfer operations, related benefits arise in the nature of providing services and support to recognizing and arranging marketing channels and opportunities and enabling linkages with markets and consumers.