New Delhi, Dec 4 (KNN) Government of Maharashtra has set up Rs 80 crore venture capital funds to support entrepreneurs belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), said Subhash Desai, Minister for Industries and Mining, Government of Maharashtra.

“The state government supports entrepreneurship under special package scheme of incentives for SC and ST entrepreneurs,” he added.

He said, “The state government aims to support at least 1,000 SC and ST entrepreneurs to set up manufacturing facilities in three ongoing industry cluster projects across the state.”

“Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is also supporting SC and ST entrepreneurs through various schemes,” he said.

“I invite SC and ST entrepreneurs to take advantage of these schemes and be job givers rather than job seekers,” said Desai.

He said this while inaugurating the Mega SC/ST Entrepreneurs Conclave at WTC Mumbai.

The Mega Conclave was organized to bring together SC and ST entrepreneurs from across Maharashtra to explore procurement opportunities with central and state public sector undertakings.

“Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has tied up with 17 states to promote SC-ST Hub,” said Alka Arora, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSMEs.

She added, “Annual procurement by central government departments and central public sector undertakings amounts to Rs 1.3 lakh crore business opportunities, of this government has mandated at least 4% procurement from SC and ST entrepreneurs.”

The 3-day Conclave will feature interactive panel sessions, vendor development programmes, B2B Meetings, exhibitions and field visit.

More than 150 exhibitors, including start-up enterprises, central and state public sector undertakings, MSMEs are participating at the event.

The event received overwhelming response from more than 700 delegates representing MSMEs, start-up enterprises, industry clusters and others from Maharashtra.

The 3-day Conclave was jointly organized by MSME, Government of India and the Department of Industries, Government of Maharashtra in association with MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai.