NATIONAL SC-ST HUB

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) organized National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Conclave at Sahid, Smruti Bhavan, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha to promote entrepreneurship culture and spread awareness of the NSSH Scheme and other Schemes of the Ministry.

Participation in Mega Conclave:

• The programme also witnessed the participation of CPSEs like Power Grid Corporation, Steel Authority of India, Indian Oil Corporation, Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd. who gave presentations on their vendor empanelment process and details of products/services to be procured.
• The program also had financial institutions such as UCO Bank, and State Bank of India, which detailed various lending schemes pertaining to the MSME sector. Training institutes like IIT Kharagpur, Central Tool Room and Training Centre, Bhubaneswar, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology also participated in the program by putting up a stall and demonstrating their technology and various skill development programmes.
• The program also had facilitation desks of UDYAM Registration for facilitating registrations of SC/ST MSE participants on the spot.
• Senior officers from the Ministry of MSME and the State Departments of Odisha were also present during the event.
• For inclusive growth, various initiatives under NSSH Scheme to promote entrepreneurship culture among SC-ST communities and their active participation in the public procurement process to reach 4% mandate as per public procurement policy has also been described.

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 includes:

• 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.