GUWAHATI: An Awareness Program on “National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme” was organised at The DICC Hall, Guwahati on December 18, 2018 by Assam Small Industries Development Corporation Limited (ASIDC), Nodal Agency for implementation of the NSSH in Assam in association with North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi). The Programme was organised with the support of PHD Chamber of Commerce (PHDCCI) in accordance with the NSSH Scheme which is an initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) targeted towards developing a supportive ecosystem for SC/ST entrepreneurs. It was attended by around 50 numbers of SC/ST entrepreneurs from in and around Guwahati.
The General Manager of District Industries and Commerce Centre, Kuddus Ali, graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, S. K. Hazarika, Dy Director NER, PHDCCI said that the awareness programme will provide a much-needed platform for the existing and emerging entrepreneurs of the State and enrich the knowledge of SC/ST Entrepreneurs on latest developments, technology trends, quality standards etc.
Assistant Director of MSME-DI, S. K. Das, spoke about the SC/ST scheme of the MoMSME. He said that the Hub will provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs to fulfill the obligations under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises procurement policy Order 2012, and adopt applicable business practices and leverage the Stand-Up India initiative. He informed that to ensure benefits of growth spread across all sections of the society, especially the marginalized groups including SC/ST entrepreneurs; the Government is trying to make procurement activities of the public sector more inclusive and participative. In this regard, the Public Procurement Policy 2012 for MSMEs mandates that Central Government ministries, Departments and Public-Sector Undertakings procure minimum of 20 percent of their annual value of goods or services from MSMEs. In addition, 4% of total procurement of goods and services are to be made from Micro and Small Enterprises owned by SC and ST entrepreneurs.
The NSSH would provide professional support to the SC/ST enterprises thereby enabling them to effectively participate in the public procurement process. This would involve participation by CPSEs/Central Ministries, States, Industry Associations such as DICC and others. The Hub would also work towards the development of new entrepreneurs to participate in procurement process leveraging on the ‘Stand up India’ programme.
Bhaskar Jyoti Gogoi, Co-Chairman, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NER & Director of M/S Ritu Enterprises, spoke on the problems faced by the SC/ST entrepreneurs in the state. He also spoke on the ways those entrepreneurs can be uplifted and urged them to come forward and take maximum advantage of the available schemes.
Mridusmita Oja, Assistant Manager (F&A), NSIC, spoke on the various schemes and facilities provided by the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC).She urged the SC/ST participants to come forward and avail the facilities provided to them.
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