Features of SCs/STs Hub Scheme

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing a scheme of National
Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes (SC/ST) Hub. The National SC-ST Hub was formally launched by the
Prime Minister on 18.10.2016 at Ludhiana, Punjab. The Hub is set up to provide professional support to
SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfill 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 initiatives.

The functions of Hub include collection, collation and dissemination of information regarding SC/ST
enterprises and entrepreneurs, capacity building among existing and prospective SC/ST entrepreneurs
through skill training and EDPs, vendor development involving CPSEs, NSIC, MSME-DIs and industry
associations including Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI), promoting participation of
SC/ST entrepreneurs in exhibitions and organizing special exhibitions for this purpose, facilitating SC/ST
entrepreneurs participating in public procurement and monitoring the progress, etc.

Four special subsidy schemes/programmes have been approved under National SC/ST Hub namely (i)
Single Point Registration Scheme (ii) Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS) (iii) Performance &
Credit Rating Scheme and (iv) Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme.

The Hub has conducted 37 Special Vendor Development Programmes (VDPs) in which 1447 SC/ST
MSMEs participated. Under Special Marketing Scheme, Hub has facilitated the participation of 416 SC/ST
MSMEs in 42 domestic exhibitions, 32 MSMEs in 8 international exhibitions and arranged the visit of 40
MSMEs in 4 International Exhibitions. Training programme for capacity building of SC/ST entrepreneurs are
also being conducted through select premium academic institutions.
The total estimated budget for the SC/ST Hub Scheme is Rs.490.00 crore for the period 2016-17 to 2019-
20. Rs.4.532 crore was the expenditure in 2016-17 under SC/ST Hub Scheme.

This Ministry is implementing a number of schemes for micro, small and medium enterprises(MSMEs)
across India including Chhattisgarh like National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme(NMCP),
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme(PMEGP), schemes for Khadi & Village Industries
and Coir, International Cooperation Scheme, Performance and Credit Rating Scheme(PCRS), Marketing
Assistance and Technology Upgradation(MATU) schemes, Scheme for Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro
and Small Enterprises etc. Benefits under these schemes are available to all eligible MSMEs including
those belonging to SC and ST entrepreneurs of Chhattisgarh.

In addition to the schemes implemented by this Ministry, the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment is also implementing schemes for SC entrepreneurs including the Credit Enhancement
Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC) and Venture Capital Fund scheme for micro, small
and medium entrepreneurs. Under Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes, one SC beneficiary viz.
Steeledge Pipes and Scaffold Pvt. Ltd. in Chhattisgarh has been sanctioned Rs.383.00 lakh for
manufacturing of steel pipes. Ministry of Tribal Affairs is also implementing schemes for self-employment
of Scheduled Tribes including term loan scheme and micro credit scheme for self-help groups.
 Key Objective

The National SC ST Hub is set up to provide professional support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe
Entrepreneurs to fulfill 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
initiatives.

The other main action points include:

 To encourage SC/ST owned units to achieve their share of at least 4% of total procurement being made by
Central/State Governments, CPSEs and other government agencies

 To prepare strategy for intervention through industry associations to sensitize, encourage and enable the
SC/ST owned units for participation in Public Procurement Process

 Collection, collation and dissemination of information regarding SC/ST enterprises and entrepreneurs

 Facilitating SC/ST Entrepreneurs to be part of vendor development programs and mentoring support by
specific CPSE matching the products/services of such entrepreneurs

 Facilitating SC/ST Entrepreneurs’ participation in Public Procurement through the e-platform of DGS&D
and monitoring the progress
Stakeholders

The stakeholders include Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Mo MSME), States, various
Ministries, academia, private sector, financial institutions and various industry associations such as Dalit
Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and SC/ST entrepreneurs.