Madurai-based industry representatives have alleged that MSMEs that invest in environment-protection systems are not receiving adequate support from the Tamil Nadu government, particularly in accessing subsidies for “green” units.
They said many small, micro and medium enterprises in the state have installed Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems and other treatment facilities to ensure industrial effluents are treated and recycled instead of being released directly. Such investments, they noted, help prevent pollution of air, water and soil.
While subsidies are routed through District Industries Centres, the process often stalls because obtaining the required certification from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is difficult. As a result, some units are unable to claim the subsidy even after setting up the pollution-control infrastructure.
The representatives said timely subsidy disbursal is crucial to repay loans taken for these units and avoid additional interest burdens. They urged that inspection reports and documentation issued by the Pollution Control Board be accepted directly by District Industries Centres, and called for a unified certification mechanism jointly developed by both agencies.
They also demanded a new government initiative—proposed as a “green subsidy” scheme—offering special capital subsidy of up to 90% for ZLD, ETP and STP and other pollution-control equipment, arguing that compliant MSMEs already bear significant production, working-capital and treatment-unit costs while supporting employment.
