Lok Sabha Question No. 436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-22
Subject: Support for Entrepreneurs belonging to SC Communities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Krishna Prasad Tenneti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE  AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.436 TO BE ANSWERED  ON 22.07.2025

## SUPPORT FOR ENTREPRENEURS  BELONGING TO SC COMMUNITIES

## 436. SHRI KRISHNA  PRASAD TENNETI:

## Will the Minister  of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT  be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and the list of schemes  introduced, in effect and presently functioning  under the Central Government for supporting  young entrepreneurs belonging  to SC communities  in the country;
- (b) the details and the total number  of beneficiaries  and total fund allocated  and utilised for such schemes during the last five years, scheme-wise, State-wise, district-wise  including  Andhra Pradesh and in Bapatla Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) the details regarding  the various  training  initiatives  and mentoring programmes  carried out by the Govemment  for young entrepreneurs belonging  to SC communities under this scheme during such period State and district-wise  including  Andhra Pradesh and especially  in Bapatla Lok Sabha Constituency;  and
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any activities/campaigns  to raise awareness of such schemes/programs that the Government  has introduced for the benefit of less young entrepreneurs  belonging to SC communities, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR. VTRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a): To promote entrepreneurship  among Scheduled  Caste (SC) communities,  the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched targeted  initiatives to support and empower  SC entrepreneurs  nationwide.
- l.  Venture  Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC): Implemented  by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment  through IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd., this scheme  provides  financial assistance ranging from {10 lakh to <15 crore at a concessional  interest  rate of 4%. lt is aimed  at facilitating  the establishment,  expansion, and diversification  of SC-owned  businesses across various  sectors.
- Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM): Launched in September  2020, ASIIM supports SC students  and youth engaged  in innovation and entrepreneurship.  The scheme offers financial support of up to {30 lakh to individuals working with recognized  incubators,  enabling them to convert innovative ideas into commercially viable start-ups. 2.
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC): NSFDC provides concessional  loans to SC individuals  with an annual family income  of up to {3.00 lakh for income-generating activities.  The objective  is to promote selfemployment and enable young SC entrepreneurs  to scale up small businesses into sustainable and profitable ventures. These schemes are implemented nationwide through a network of State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Public Sector Banks (PSBs), and NBFC-MFIs under formal agreements  with NSFDC. J.

(b): The details pertaining  to VCF-SC, ASIIM, and NSFDC are provided  in Annexure-I, Annexure-Il, and Annexure-Ill, respectively.

(c) & (d): To promote  entrepreneurship  among SC communities,  IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd. and NSFDC are actively implementing pan-lndia  awareness and outreach initiatives.  The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled  Castes (VCF-SC)  and the Ambedkar Social Innovation  & Incubation  Mission  (ASIIM) are implemented nationwide.  Accordingly, training initiatives  and mentoring  programmes  under these  schemes  are conducted  across  the countryincluding in Andhra Pradesh and the Bapatla Lok Sabha Constituency-to promote and propagate  these schemes among SC entrepreneurs.

IFCI Venture  Capital Fund promotes  these schemes through  regular webinars,  partnerships (e.g., with Startup Tamil Nadu), and collaborations with Technology  Business Incubators  (TBIs) and industry bodies such as CII, DICCI, and Startup India. In FY 2024-25,  over 30 webinars  were conducted,  and outreach efforts include social media campaigns, regional  language advertisements,  vernacular brochures,  and mass email communication. Under  VCF-SC  and ASIIM, IFCI Venture Capital Fund Ltd. has facilitated24S  mentoring sessions, of which 99have been completed.

NSFDC supports SC entrepreneurs  by conducting  awareness camps across states, including remote  areas, through its Channelizing Agencies.  It also actively participates  in major exhibitions and fairs such as IITF, Surajkund Mela, and Shilp Sama1am,  providing free stalls to SC beneficiaries  and also undertakes IEC activities to raise awareness.

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