NEW DELHI, Dec 19: The Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is strengthening entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities through the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme, Minister of State for MSME Shobha Karandlaje informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The scheme aims to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Policy mandate of procuring at least four per cent from SC/ST-run Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), while also enhancing their overall business capacity. Under NSSH, a range of support measures are being implemented, including capacity-building programmes, market linkage initiatives, Special Vendor Development Programmes (SVDPs), awareness workshops, and financial assistance.
The scheme also provides subsidies for the purchase of plant and machinery, support for registration under the Single Point Registration Scheme, and facilitation for enrolment on government-backed e-commerce platforms to improve market access for SC/ST entrepreneurs.
As part of the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS), SC/ST entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate in domestic and international exhibitions to build competitiveness and expand their presence in public procurement. Over the past five years, 3,929 SC/ST entrepreneurs have been supported to participate in domestic exhibitions at a total cost of ₹36.41 crore.
To enhance outreach, the ministry has been organising conclaves, SVDPs and awareness programmes across the country, while also leveraging social media platforms to disseminate information about the scheme’s benefits.
Meanwhile, the minister noted that MSMEs exported goods worth ₹9.52 lakh crore in the current financial year up to September. Based on data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics, she said India’s export performance has shown strong momentum, particularly in high-value and technology-driven sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and engineering products, where MSMEs play a crucial role.
