(a) whether the Government proposes to encourage Dalit Chamber of Commerce so as to encourage Scheduled Castes community in nurturing entrepreneurship;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has any data of SC entrepreneurs having medium and small scale industries in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to encourage SC/ST entrepreneurs?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY)
(a) to (e) The Government intends to promote Dalit entrepreneurs and help any Chambers and Associations working for SC and ST Entrepreneurs. However, the Government has no proposal at present to encourage Dali Chamber of Commerce. Further, the Government has set up National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) which provides grant to eligible Scheduled Caste persons for Skill Development Programmes. In addition to this, a Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes with initial capital of Rs 200 crores under the aegis of IFCI Ltd has been launched on 16-01-2015 with a view to promoting entrepreneurship amongst the scheduled castes who are oriented towards innovation and growth technologies. As per Fourth All India Census of MSME 2006-07, there are about 1.64 lakhs enterprises owned by SC/ST Entrepreneurs.