MSME jewellery units appeal to T.N. government to prioritise them for government orders
Jewellery manufacturers in Coimbatore are urging the Tamil Nadu government to prioritize local MSMEs for state-led gold ring tenders. Local units claim they are being sidelined by high turnover requirements and aggressive bidding from larger firms.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between government procurement policies and the survival of small-scale local industries.
Jewellery manufacturers in Coimbatore have expressed disappointment that the micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) here were not given priority for the gold ring scheme of the Tamil Nadu government.
“There are 40,000 micro units in Coimbatore engaged in making gold jewellery, employing at least four workers in each. The tender is for 4.41 lakh rings of one gram each. While the government will give the gold, the supplier should bear the making charges, hallmarking cost, packing charges, transport, and insurance. The bidder should quote ₹450 to ₹700 for a piece. However, the final amount of one paisa for one ring given by the successful bidders cannot be matched by any of the MSMEs,” said Kamal Hassan, president of the Coimbatore Goldsmith Association.
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