**Executive Summary**
The MSME Ministry organized a National SC-ST Hub-Mega Awareness Programme in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on February 23, 2026. The goal was to promote entrepreneurship and disseminate information on the National SC-ST Hub Scheme and various other government initiatives for MSMEs. The program emphasized the role of MSMEs in driving the Indian economy and promoting self-reliance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Overview:**
* The Ministry of MSME organized the National SC-ST Hub-Mega Awareness Programme in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
* The event took place on February 23, 2026, at D.K. Conventional Hall.
* The program aimed to promote entrepreneurship and empower the MSME ecosystem in Arunachal Pradesh.
* Entrepreneurs had the opportunity to get Udyam Registration.
* **Key Speakers and Participants:**
* Shri Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, was the Chief Guest.
* Shri Nyato Dukam, Minister for Commerce & Industries, Labour & Employment and IPR, Arunachal Pradesh, and Shri Kemto Jini, Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment and Tribal Affairs, Arunachal Pradesh, also attended.
* Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Dr. S.S.Acharya, CMD, NSIC, and dignitaries from Central and State Governments were present.
* **MSME Sector Highlights:**
* The MSME sector is the 2nd largest employer after agriculture.
* It contributes more than 30% to India's GDP, 35% to manufacturing output, and 46% to exports.
* More than 7.8 lakh MSMEs are registered on the Udyam Portal, providing employment to over 31 crore people.
* Dr. S.S.Acharya described the Public Procurement Policy, mandating 4% public procurement from SC-ST owned MSEs and 3% from Women MSEs.
* National SC-ST Hub Scheme is creating an ecosystem for inclusive growth across the country.
* **Government Initiatives and Schemes:**
* Ms. Mercy Epao spoke about financial assistance, infrastructure facilities, skilling, and market linkage provided under various schemes of the Ministry.
* Key benefits of PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, MSE-CDP, Tool Room, Zed Certification, Trade Enablement and Marketing scheme, Udyam Registration, Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme, etc., were discussed.
* **Entrepreneurship Development:**
* An Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) at Jote, built with assistance from the Ministry of MSME, was inaugurated.
* EDI Jote will empower youth of Arunachal Pradesh and neighboring States through training and skill development.
* **Stakeholder Interaction:**
* The program provided an interactive platform for entrepreneurs to interact with stakeholders, including CPSEs, MSME-DFO, Financial Institutions, SIDBI, SBI, PGCIL, TRIFED, IOCL, and NSTFDC.
* These stakeholders informed participants about financial assistance and vendor empanelment processes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Entrepreneurs (Aspiring and Existing):**
* **Impact:** Increased awareness of government schemes and initiatives, potential access to financial assistance, and opportunities for Udyam Registration.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of various schemes, pursue entrepreneurship for self-reliance, and interact with stakeholders for support.
**MSMEs:**
* **Impact:** Potential growth through government support and market access.
* **Action Required:** Register on Udyam Portal, participate in public procurement programs, and leverage the National SC-ST Hub Scheme.
**Youth of Arunachal Pradesh and Neighboring States:**
* **Impact:** Increased access to skill development and entrepreneurship training through EDI Jote.
* **Action Required:** Participate in EDI Jote programs and explore entrepreneurship opportunities.
**Central and State Governments:**
* **Impact:** Progress towards inclusive development and economic growth through MSME empowerment.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting entrepreneurs through various schemes and initiatives, ensure effective implementation of the National SC-ST Hub Scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME): The central government ministry responsible for promoting and developing MSMEs, organizer of the event.
National SC-ST Hub Scheme: A government scheme to promote entrepreneurship and participation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the MSME sector, a focus of the awareness programme.
Arunachal Pradesh: The state where the National SC-ST Hub-Mega Awareness Programme took place in Itanagar.
Udyam Registration: The government portal for MSME registration in India.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
MSME Ministry organizes National SC-ST Hub-
Mega Awareness Programme in Itanagar,
Arunachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu Highlights MSMEs as Key
Driver of Indian Economy, Stresses Self-Reliance
Joint Secretary Ms. Mercy Epao Underscores Financial,
Skilling and Market Support for MSMEs; Sector 2nd Largest
Employer After Agriculture
Posted On: 23 FEB 2026 7:13PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organized
National SC-ST Hub-Mega Awareness Programme for disseminating information on National SC-ST
Hub Scheme and other schemes / initiatives of Government of India for MSMEs, on 23 February
2026 at D.K. Conventional Hall, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The programme aimed to promote
entrepreneurship and empower MSME ecosystem through interactive sessions, in the state of
Arunachal Pradesh. The entrepreneurs also had opportunity to get Udyam Registration.Shri Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh was the Chief Guest of the event. The
programme was also graced by Shri Nyato Dukam, Hon’ble Minister for Commerce & Industries,
Labour & Employment and IPR, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Shri Kemto Jini, Hon’ble
Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment and Tribal Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Ms.
Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, Dr. S.S.Acharya, CMD, NSIC and
dignitaries from Central and State Government were also present.Dr. S.S.Acharya, CMD, NSIC in his opening remarks briefed about the programme and described the
Public Procurement Policy of Govt. of India which mandated 4% public procurement from SC-ST
owned MSEs and 3% from Women MSEs. He mentioned that National SC-ST Hub Scheme is creating
an ecosystem for inclusive growth across the country including Arunachal Pradesh.
Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India, in her detailed address spoke
about financial assistance, infrastructure facilities, skilling and market linkage provided under various
schemes of the Ministry. She highlighted that MSME sector is the 2nd largest employer after
agriculture. and contributes more than thirty percent to India’s GDP, 35 per cent to manufacturing
output and 46% in export. She further mentioned that more than 7.8 lakh MSMEs are registered on
Udyam Portal providing employment to more than 31 crore people. She also spoke about key benefits
of PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, MSE-CDP, Tool Room, Zed Certification, Trade Enablement and
Marketing scheme, Udyam Registration, Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme etc.During the programme, Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurated Entrepreneurship Development Institute
(EDI)at Jote which has been built with the assistance Ministry of MSME, Government of India. Shri
Nyato Dukam, Hon’ble Minister mentioned that it is a landmark initiative for capacity building Skill
Development and entrepreneurship promotion in Arunachal Pradesh. EDI Jote will empower youth of
Arunachal Pradesh and neighboring States through training and skill development.
In his inspirational address, Shri Pema Khandu, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
emphasized the significant role of MSMEs in Indian Economy. He stated that Ministry of MSME,
Government of India is not only supporting entrepreneurs through its various schemes but also making
them self reliant. He also spoke about benefits for entrepreneurs available under various scheme of
Government of Arunachal Pradesh. He further stated that in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat
@2047 of Hon’ble Prime Minister, the State and Central Government are working in close coordination
for inclusive development of people of the State.
He also encouraged the participants, particularly the youth, to take full advantage of various schemes
offered by the Central and State Governments and to pursue entrepreneurship for self-reliance and
growth.
The programme provided an interactive platform for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to interact with
the stakeholders such as CPSEs, MSME-DFO, Financial Institutions etc. engaged in supporting MSMEs
across the Country. During the technical session, MSME-DFO, Small Industries Development Bank of
India (SIDBI), State Bank of India (SBI), Power Grid Corporation India Ltd. (PGCIL), Tribal
Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
(IOCL) and National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) etc. informed
participants about financial assistance, vendor empanelment process etc.
***
Sunil Kumar Tiwari
hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com(Release ID: 2231874) Visitor Counter : 200
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