GoM mulling 30% GOVT purchases through SC/ST entrepreneurs

A Group of Ministers on Dalit Affairs is actively considering a proposal to make 30 per cent purchases through entrepreneurs belonging to SC/ST categories.

"The GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee met recently and discussed the issue. It is under active consideration of the GoM to make 30 per cent central government purchases through entrepreneurs from SC/ST categories," Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, a member of the GoM, told reporters here today.

Paswan, who is also the Lok Janshakti Party chief, said unless effective marketing of the goods manufactured by the SC/ST was accomplished, their financial lot would not improve. Besides, it would generate gainful employment, he said.

The recommendations, according to sources, were made by the GoM based on preferential procurement policy of the Madhya Pradesh government, the first such measure adopted in the country by any state.