**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 3038 in Lok Sabha, scheduled to be answered on December 18, 2025, regarding the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS) in Andhra Pradesh. The Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises details the implementation of the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme and initiatives to support SC/ST entrepreneurs. Though the SMAS program has been in place for five years, no SC/ST entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh have availed support for participation in exhibitions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **NSSH Scheme Implementation:**
* The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) implements the NSSH Scheme to promote entrepreneurship among SCs/STs.
* The scheme aims to fulfill the mandated 4% procurement from SC/ST MSEs under the Public Procurement Policy.
* Initiatives include capacity building programs, market linkage programs, Special Vendor Development programs, workshops/awareness programs, and financial assistance.
* **SMAS Component:**
* The SMAS component facilitates SC/ST entrepreneurs' participation in domestic and international exhibitions to enhance their capabilities in public procurement.
* In the last five years, 3,929 SC/ST entrepreneurs were supported for domestic exhibitions at a cost of Rs. 36.41 crore.
* No SC/ST entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh availed support under SMAS for exhibition participation in the last five years.
* **Support Enhancement in Andhra Pradesh:**
* A National SC-ST Hub Office (NSSHO) has been established in Hyderabad to extend handholding support to SC/ST entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh.
* Conclaves, Special Vendor Development Programs (SVDPs), and awareness workshops are being organized across the country to spread awareness about NSSH Scheme benefits.
* In the financial year 2025-26, two SVDPs and two awareness programs have been organized in Andhra Pradesh.
* Social media platforms are actively used for wider scheme dissemination, focusing on the intended audience.
**Impact Analysis**
**SC/ST Entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh**
* **Impact:** The document addresses the lack of participation by Andhra Pradesh SC/ST entrepreneurs in the SMAS program and the efforts being made to improve their engagement and access to support.
* **Action Required:** Explore and utilize the support available through the NSSHO in Hyderabad, participate in the Conclaves, SVDPs and Awareness Workshops, and use social media platforms to learn more about the NSSH Scheme.
**Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)**
* **Impact:** The document highlights the Ministry's ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship among SC/STs and the specific initiatives undertaken to address the low participation from Andhra Pradesh.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing the NSSH Scheme, monitor the effectiveness of the NSSHO in Hyderabad, and adapt strategies to increase awareness and participation among SC/ST entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh.
Key Entities Referenced
Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS): A scheme to support SC/ST entrepreneurs in participating in domestic and international exhibitions, under the NSSH Scheme.
National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme: Scheme implemented by the Ministry of MSME to promote entrepreneurship amongst SCs/STs and fulfill procurement mandates.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME): The ministry implementing the NSSH Scheme and addressing the question about the SMAS in Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh: The state to which the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme is being applied, where SC/ST entrepreneurs have shown lower participation.
Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises: Policy related to the NSSH Scheme, mandating 4% procurement from SC/ST MSEs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3038
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 18.12.2025
SPECIAL MARKETING ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN ANDHRA PRADESH
3038. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU:
Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:
(a) the number of SC/ST entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh who have availed support under
the Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS) for participation in domestic and international
exhibitions/trade fairs during the last five financial years, year and district-wise;
(b) the details of the total funds allocated for domestic and international exhibitions/trade fairs
per financial year under SMAS, including the total number of Andhra Pradesh beneficiaries who
utilized these allocations and the sectors/ products they represented;
(c) the total expenditure incurred by the Government on providing exhibition support to SC/ST
entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh under SMAS, during the last five financial years;
(d) whether any SC/ST entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh have faced difficulties in availing the
exhibition support due to procedural delays, lack of awareness or inadequate National Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) office coverage in the State; and
(e) the steps being taken to enhance exhibition participation from Andhra Pradesh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)
(a) to (e): The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is implementing
National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme to promote entrepreneurship
amongst the SCs/STs and to fulfill the mandated 4% of procurement from SC/ST MSEs under the
Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises, Government of India. The Scheme has
undertaken several initiatives to provide support which include capacity building programmes;
market linkage programmes, organization of Special Vendor Development programmes,
workshops/awareness programmes, subsidy on purchase of plant & machinery/equipment, financial
assistance for registration under Single Point Registration Scheme, for enrollment on Government
promoted e-commerce portals, etc.
Under ‘Special Marketing Assistance Scheme (SMAS)’ component of the NSSH Scheme,
SC/ST entrepreneurs are facilitated to participate in domestic and international exhibitions to
strengthen and develop their capacities to participate in public procurement. 3,929 SC/ST
entrepreneurs at a cost of Rs. 36.41 crore were facilitated for participation in domestic exhibitions in
the country during the last five years. However, no SC/ST entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh
availed support under SMAS for participation in exhibition during this period.
To extend handholding support to SC/ST entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh, National SC-ST
Hub Office (NSSHO) has been established at Hyderabad. Further, to spread awareness about various
benefits available under NSSH Scheme; Conclaves, Special Vendor Development Programmes
(SVDPs) and awareness workshops are being organized at various locations in the country. In
current financial year 2025-26, 02 SVDPs and 02 awareness programmes have so far been organized
in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The scheme also actively use social media platforms for wider
dissemination, particularly focusing on the intended audience.
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