Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) holds Round Table Discussion with CPSEs on Enhancing Procurement from SC/ST MSEs

A Round Table Discussion with Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) was held on 5 November 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi to monitor procurement status of CPSEs on mandated 4% from SC/ST MSEs under Public Procurement Policy of Government. Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME chaired the meeting. Shri Ajit Chavan, Additional Chief Executive Officer, GeM, Dr. S.S Acharya, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NSIC and other Senior Officers from Ministry, Department of Public Enterprises and NSIC participated and share their respective interventions to support the SC/ST MSEs.

A total of 30 CPSEs including BHEL, BEL, NTPC, AAI, BEML, Coal India Ltd participated in the Round Table discussion, which centred on the challenges being faced by the CPSEs and sharing of best practices and how to deepen coordination between NSSHOs, GeM and CPSEs.

In her address, Ms. Mercy Epao, highlighted various initiatives undertaken to promote and handhold to SC/ST MSEs under National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme. This resulted in continuous increase in the share of SC/ST MSEs in public procurement. In FY 2025-26, more than 36 times hike in public procurement from SC/ST MSE since inception of the scheme. She further informed about Entrepreneur Awareness & Special Vendor Development Program (EA&SVDP), a new initiative for creation of awareness amongst SC/ST MSE and to network with CPSEs. She urged CPSEs to formulate internal action plan to achieve the target and also provide support in terms of Vendor Registration/Enlistment Procedure, Product/Service Matchmaking, Regional/Local Connect of CPSEs with SC/ST MSEs and Handholding support.

Shri Ajit Chavan, Additional CEO, GeM, acknowledged the Ministry of MSME’s significant contribution towards empowering small enterprises and achieving key milestones under the public procurement framework. He informed about various measures taken to facilitate SC/ST MSEs in tender participation including identification of SC/ST MSE sellers through dedicated marketplace filters. He emphasized the importance of engaging sellers from diverse sectors, particularly on services and industry verticals to ensure equitable access to procurement opportunities. He encouraged CPSEs to utilize the services of the Nodal Officer appointed by GeM for handholding support.

The Round Table provided an opportunity for CPSEs to interact with best performing CPSEs, to address their gaps/challenges. The discussion also focused on identifying avenues for enhanced collaboration between CPSEs and NSSH through vendor development programs, capacity-building initiatives and digital facilitation support to strengthen procurement from SC/ST and women-owned MSEs.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

E-mail - hipessi[at]gmail[dot]com