Lok Sabha Question No. 3038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Special Marketing Assistance Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## 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.