PM Modi launches CHAMPIONS to empower MSMEs in India

The newly launched technology platform stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength (CHAMPIONS).

In addition to launching the CHAMPIONS platform, the government also set up a network of control rooms called the Hub. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a technology platform called CHAMPIONS to empower medium and small enterprises (MSMEs) in India.

The newly launched technology platform stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength (CHAMPIONS). It uses internet communication technology (ICT), such as telephone, internet and video conferencing, and other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and data analytics for making the smaller units big by solving their grievances and supporting them through the present economic circumstances in the country.

The architecture that uses ICTs has been created in-house with the help of the National Information Centre. The physical infrastructure for the platform, on the other hand, has been created in one of the ministry's dumping rooms in a record time.

CHAMPIONS has been developed to achieve a specific set of objectives. These are:

Grievance Redressal: To resolve the problems of MSMEs including those of finance, raw materials, labor and regulatory permissions, particularly in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Help MSMEs capture new opportunities: This includes manufacturing of medical equipment and accessories such as PPEs, masks, etc and supplying them in National and International markets.

Identify and encourage the sparks: This entails encouraging the potential MSMEs that are able to withstand the current situation to become ‘national and international champions.'

In addition to launching the CHAMPIONS platform, the government also set up a network of control rooms called the Hub. This Hub is situated in New Delhi in the Secretary MSME's office. This hub is connected to a set of 66 state level control rooms. These control rooms are connected via CHAMPION and via video conferencing solutions. The government has issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) to the officers at these control rooms and the staffers have been deployed and trained to use them.