New Delhi, Mar 31 (KNN) In line with the budget announcement made to set up Nation SC/ ST hub, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) is holding a meeting with various stakeholders on April 13, 2016.

In the Union Budget 2016-17, government allocated Rs 500 crore for scheduled caste, scheduled tribes and women entrepreneurs under the Stand Up India scheme.

The Budget also proposed to set up a national hub in the Ministry of MSME in partnership with industry associations to provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs. The scheme will facilitate at least two such projects per bank branch one in each category of entrepreneurs and will benefit at least 2.5 lakh entrepreneurs in this category, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in his budget speech.

He added that there have been extensive interactions with Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industry on building an entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“This hub will provide a professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfil the obligations under the Central government procurement policy adopted best practices and leverage the Stand up initiative. The scheme for welfare and skill development of minorities such as multi sectoral development and Ustad shall be implemented effectively,” he said.

Talking to KNN, Milind Kamble, President, DICCI, said, “The meeting has been called by the MSME Ministry to discussion the action plan to set up the hub. Various industry bodies including FICCI, CII, FISME, ASSOCHAM have also been invited to give their views on this.”

Kamble said that this is a very good move and would build an ecosystem for the SC/ST entrepreneurs in the country. (KNN Bureau)