Taking govt schemes to SC/ST vendors

Udhagamandalam: A state-level vendor development programme was organised for the SC/ST beneficiaries in Coonoor here on Wednesday to create awareness among them about the special government schemes for small time vendors.

The one-day event, organised by the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in association with Pasteur Institute of India, saw participation of 95 SC/ST beneficiaries.

Dr B Sekar, director of Pasteur Institute of India, inaugurated the programme. Officials attached to the Central Wheat Research Centre, Cordite Factory, Pasteur Institute of India and Central Sericulture Department engaged sessions and explained in detail the procedure for registration of vendors.

"Under MSME, 20% of vendor scheme is allotted to small-time vendors when it comes to government establishments and public sectors. Out of it, 4% is allotted exclusively to vendors belonging to SC/ST category. The event was organised to create awareness on such schemes among the small-time SC/ST vendors in the Nilgiris and surrounding areas," said B Kayalvizhi, assistant director (food), Coimbatore branch of MSME Development Institute.

Self-help groups and NGOs working for the tribal communities in the Nilgiris also took part in the programme held at the Pasteur Institute of India in Coonoor.