The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised an Entrepreneur Awareness & Special Vendor Development Programme (EA&SVDP) in association with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) on May 25, 2026 at CII Northern Region Headquarters, Sector 31-A, Chandigarh.
The programme was aimed at creating awareness about various initiatives of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, including the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme.The programme focused on enhancing awareness among existing and aspiring entrepreneurs regarding the National SC-ST Hub Scheme and facilitating Central Ministries, Departments, and CPSEs in achieving the mandated 4% procurement target from SC/ST-owned enterprises under the Public Procurement Policy.
During the programme, aspiring entrepreneurs were sensitised about the importance of registration on the Udyam Portal for formalisation of their enterprises. Existing entrepreneurs were provided detailed information regarding vendor registration procedures, documentation requirements, procurement items of CPSEs, e-tendering processes, credit facilitation mechanisms, and subsidy components available through banks for business growth and sustainability.
More than 100 existing and aspiring SC/ST entrepreneurs from Chandigarh (UT) and nearby areas participated enthusiastically in the programme. The programme was graced by several distinguished officials and representatives from government departments, CPSEs, financial institutions, and industry bodies including Sh. Deepak Sharma from GeM, Dr. Deepak from BBMB, Smt. Charanya Ambati, DGM, Powergrid Corporation of India, Sh. Mohit, Procurement Manager, FCI, Sh. Virender Mongia, Regional Head, Exim Bank Chandigarh, Sh. Mohit, Assistant Director, MSME DFO Ludhiana, Smt. Amanat Rai from DIC Chandigarh, Sh. Anil Arora, Chartered Accountant (ICAI), Smt. Akhila Anil, DM (S&P), IIT Ropar, Sh. Vishant Dhiman, AGM, SBI Chandigarh, and Sh. Rajiv Dutt, LDM, PNB Chandigarh.
In his opening remarks, Sh. Surya Bhushan, Branch Incharge, National SC-ST Hub, Ludhiana, briefed the participants about the objectives of the programme and elaborated upon the Public Procurement Policy of the Government of India, which mandates 4% procurement from SC/ST-owned MSEs and 3% procurement from women-owned MSEs.
The programme also facilitated direct interaction between entrepreneurs and key stakeholders including CPSEs, MSMEs, financial institutions, and other MSME-supporting agencies. Technical sessions conducted during the event featured expert inputs on financial assistance, vendor empanelment procedures, procurement opportunities, and allied support services, thereby strengthening collaboration within the MSME ecosystem.