NSFDC to start pilot project on retail for SC/ST entrepreneurs

The National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation will start a pilot project on retail outlets for entrepreneurs belonging to SC and ST categories in Delhi and Maharashtra.

The corporation along with CII and retailer Future Group will start the pilot project, National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) CMD Hardip Singh Kingra said today.

"CII, NSFDC, Future Group and State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) of Delhi and Maharashtra have entered into an MOU to start a pilot project of Retail Outlet franchise Scheme of Big Bazar for entrepreneurs belonging to SC and ST categories.

"The SC/ STs beneficiaries will be offered shops to operate as retail outlet business with the brand name of Aadhaar in rural areas and KB Fair price shops in urban and semi urban areas," Kingra said.

They would also be provided job training, furnished premises, supply of stock, continuous training and guidance and even provision of buy back of unsold stock on weekly or fortnightly basis, he said while speaking at an Awareness Session on Affirmative Action here today.

However, he said the inclusion of the exploited class of people into the mainstream was the biggest challenge for social equality.

"We have brought in many legislations, policy frameworks, projects and institutions to handle this social problem but we have failed to make use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to bring about a change in the mindset of the people. This is the need of the hour," he asserted.

He also appreciated CII for its initiatives on Affirmative Action (AA) directed towards education, employment, entrepreneurship and employability of the SC/ST youth.

The 300 million SC/STs in India account for 17 per cent of India¿s total population and out of these 10 per cent are Below Poverty line (BPL).

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