Lok Sabha Question No. 2412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2412

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.03.2025

## VENTURE CAPITAL FUND FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES

## 2412. SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  sector-wise  applications  received,  especially  from  women  for  the  Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF-ST), including from startups, State-wise, particularly Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the number of applications approved and loans sanctioned, especially for women, under the said scheme, sector-wise including of startups, State-wise, particularly Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned and utilized, State-wise, particularly Andhra Pradesh;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any measures for information dissemination about the scheme, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  whether  there  is  any  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for  disputes  resulting  from  the  fund disbursement process, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a)  to  (c) The  scheme  of  Venture  Capital  Fund  for  Scheduled  Tribes  (VCF-ST)  was launched  in  February,  2024  and  since  then  17  applications  under  various  sectors  have  been received under the scheme. No application was received from Andhra Pradesh. The details of applications  approved  and  loans  sanctioned,  especially  for  women,  under  the  said  scheme  is given below:

| S. No.   | State   | No. of Application   | No. of Women Entrepreneur   | Total No. of Entrepreneurs incl. ST   | Sector   | Sanctioned Amount (Rs. Crore)   |
|----------|---------|----------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------|----------|---------------------------------|

|   1 | Chhattisgarh1   |   1 |   2 | Food processing   |   3.41 |
|-----|-----------------|-----|-----|-------------------|--------|
|   2 | Telangana 1     |   2 |   2 | Food processing   |      5 |

(d)         Being  a  new  scheme,  regular  awareness  efforts  are  being  carried  out  amongst  ST entrepreneurs about the fund by way of publicity in media through advertisements as well as by holding various conferences/meets, connecting entrepreneurs through social media and through webinars. Some of such efforts are cited as below:

## Webinars

- i. Conducted with 22 TBIs across 11 states to disseminate the scheme information amongst the prospective Scheduled Tribes (STs) within their incubation centre / innovation park.
- ii. Conducted with 4 State Agencies to create awareness amongst the prospective Scheduled Tribes (STs) through their State Channelising Agencies.
- iii. Conducted with 4 Industrial Bodies to disseminate the scheme guidelines and create awareness.
- iv. Conducted with training centres at Northeastern State.

## Physical Outreach

- i. 6 physical meeting have been attended / conducted with Ministry of MSME & NSIC, NSSH and Industry bodies incl. CII and DICCI.
- ii. 2 events have been conducted with Startup India Chapters incl. Start Up Tamil Nadu.
- iii. Organizing various webinars to inform the entrepreneurs about the scheme, doubt clearing sessions and handholding for application filing.
- iv. IFCI Venture is enabling programs / symposium in collaboration with Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) by inviting Venture Capitalists and Private Equity Investors in order to bring together major Venture Capitalists and Impact Investors to discuss strategies for empowering tribal entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive growth.
- v. Participation in various events like Startup Mahakumbh, Advantage Assam 2.0, etc. to provide awareness about the scheme and simultaneously connecting with the ST entrepreneurs.

## Social Media Front

- i. Various Social Media posts including static posts, learning & educational contents were posted in various handles with support of an external agency.
- ii. The scheme was also registered with Investors connect portal of the Start Up India and the multiple posts were published through the forum.
3. (e) For grievance redressal, a dedicated portal is made available in the Scheme's website i.e. www.vcfst.in with Grievance Redressal Portal link https://www.ifciventure.com/Grievance/Login.

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