Question

Which among the following has launched *Virtual-Clusters’ web portal?
1. Department of Information Technology
2. Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises 
3. Ministry of Human Resource Development
4. Ministry of Commerce

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises 

The correct answer is Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

• Virtual-Clusters Web Portal:
  • The Virtual Clusters concept consists of a dedicated Web portal to be hosted by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
  • It provides an opportunity for the following stakeholders to register and join:
  • MSMEs and their business units.
    • Academic institutions (engineering colleges, polytechnics, ITI's as well as MBA colleges and design institutes).
    • Various experts, consultants, and trainers can provide sector-specific help to MSME's.
    • Banks and other financial institutions interested in providing financing to MSME's.
    • Various governmental organizations, NGOs, and volunteering executives have a special interest in the MSME sector.
• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises:
  • The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades.
  • MSMEs not only play a crucial role in providing large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital costs than large industries but also help in the industrialization of rural & backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth.
  • MSMEs are complementary to large industries as ancillary units and this sector contributes enormously to the socio-economic development of the country.

• Department of Information Technology:
  • To promote e-Governance for empowering citizens, promoting the inclusive and sustainable growth of the Electronics, IT & ITeS industries, enhancing India’s role in Internet Governance, adopting a multipronged approach.
  • It includes the development of human resources, promoting R&D and innovation, enhancing efficiency through digital services, and ensuring secure cyberspace.
• Ministry of Human Resource Development:
  • The essence of Human Resource Development is education, which plays a significant and remedial role in balancing the socio-economic fabric of the country.
  • Since citizens of India are its most valuable resource, their billion-strong nation needs the nurture and care in the form of basic education to achieve a better quality of life.
  • This warrants an all-round development of their citizens, which can be achieved by building strong foundations in education.
  • In pursuance of this mission, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) was created on September 26, 1985, through the 174th amendment to the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961.
• Ministry of Commerce:
  • The Department formulates implements and monitors the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) which provides the basic framework of policy and strategy to be followed for promoting exports and trade. 
  • The Trade Policy is periodically reviewed to incorporate changes necessary to take care of emerging economic scenarios both in the domestic and international economy.
  • Besides, the Department is also entrusted with responsibilities relating to multilateral and bilateral commercial relations, Special Economic Zones, state trading, export promotion and trade facilitation, and development and regulation of certain export-oriented industries and commodities.
  • The Department of Commerce is headed by a Secretary who is assisted by one Officer on Special Duty(OSD), one Special Secretary, one Special Secretary & Financial Advisor, three Additional Secretaries, two Additional Secretary rank officers, thirteen Joint Secretaries, and Joint Secretary level Officers and a number of other senior officers.