AnyTime News 
Empowering SC-ST Entrepreneurs
Sultanpur Hosts Major Vendor Development & Enterprise Awareness Programme
Government Procurement Opens New Growth Opportunities
GeM, PMEGP and Stand-Up India Schemes Take Centre Stage
Pooja Srivastava
Any Time News Network
A significant step towards strengthening inclusive entrepreneurship was taken as the National SC-ST Hub (NSSH), Ministry of MSME, in collaboration with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), successfully organized an Entrepreneur Awareness and Special Vendor Development Programme in Sultanpur. The initiative focused on connecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs with government procurement opportunities, financial assistance, and business expansion platforms.
The programme was inaugurated by Ravi Oran, Chief Manager, NSSH Lucknow, along with Manish Verma, President of DICCI Uttar Pradesh Chapter, Dr. Rajesh Gautam, Shailendra Kumar Bhim, and Suresh Kumar Bauddh.
Addressing the gathering, Ravi Oran emphasized the Government of India’s commitment to empowering SC-ST entrepreneurs by integrating them into the public procurement ecosystem. He encouraged participants to leverage the GeM Portal, vendor registration mechanisms, and flagship government initiatives designed to strengthen small businesses.
Manish Verma highlighted DICCI’s mission of transforming entrepreneurship into a powerful instrument of economic empowerment. He noted that such programmes provide emerging entrepreneurs with direct access to government buyers, financial institutions, and business networks essential for sustainable growth.
Experts from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), banks, the Industries Department, and GeM conducted detailed sessions on vendor registration, government procurement policies, Udyam Registration, bank credit, Stand-Up India, PMEGP, and other MSME support schemes.
Successful entrepreneurs including Dev Mani Saroj, Nirmal Jeet Raj, Pravesh Kumar, Virendra Vikram Suman, and others shared inspiring journeys of overcoming challenges to establish successful enterprises, motivating aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue self-employment and innovation.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from SC-ST entrepreneurs, startups, MSMEs, self-help groups, and young business aspirants from Sultanpur and neighbouring districts. Participants interacted directly with officials and industry experts, gaining practical guidance on accessing government schemes, expanding market opportunities, and building sustainable enterprises.
The event emerged as a strong platform for inclusive economic development, reinforcing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by empowering marginalized entrepreneurs through policy awareness, financial inclusion, and market integration.
