Context: The Prime Minister has praised National SC-ST Hub Scheme which crossed more than a lakh beneficiary registration.
About National SC-ST Hub Scheme
- The National SC/ST Hub has been set up to provide professional support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneurs to fulfil the obligations under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order 2012, adopt applicable business practices and leverage the Stand-Up India initiative.
- The “Public Procurement Policy for MSEs” mandates that Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Public-Sector Undertakings procure a minimum of 25% of their total annual value of goods or services from Micro and Small Enterprises including 4% of total procurement of goods and services from Micro and Small Enterprises owned by SC & ST entrepreneurs and 3% of total procurement of goods and services from Micro and Small Enterprises owned by women entrepreneurs.
- The Hub is being implemented by the Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India through the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), a public-sector undertaking under the administrative control of this Ministry.
- The Hub supports existing SC/ST entrepreneurs and enterprises in technological upgradation and capacity building thereby enabling them to effectively participate in the government procurement process.
- This would involve active participation by CPSEs/Central Ministries, States, and Industry Associations such as DICCI and others.
- Selected entrepreneurs would be provided with support and mentoring by industry experts, CPSEs, & incubators.
Achievements of the National SC-ST Hub Scheme
- 1,06,854 Total SC-ST Candidates Assisted as up to 31st March 2023
- 35,169 Total SC-ST Candidates Trained up to 31st March 2023
- 1,301.93 Cr. Procurement from 8,828 SC/ST-owned MSEs in FY 2022-23
