Chennai: The DMK on Sunday impressed upon the BJP-led Central government to come up with a new micro small medium enterprises (MSME) policy and save small firms from getting run over by multinational companies. DMK chief M. Karunanidhi took exception to the Centre’s decision to delist all 20 items, including matchboxes, pickles, locks and wax candles, from the exclusive manufacturing list of MSME.

He said the Centre, on the one hand, launched the Mudra Bank scheme to bolster the MSME sector, but on the other, has started this move.“The government should withdraw such a contradictory approach, which impacts the small entrepreneurs and benefits only the big corporate firms. Considering the welfare of the crores of MSME professionals, the Centre should come out with a new MSME policy for their welfare,” he said in a statement.

In 1967, there were about 800 items under the MSME sector; but, over the years, the list has narrowed down to 20 and now even those items had been taken off the list by the BJP government and the move could affect the rural economy, the former CM added.