Government Unveils Rs 277 Crore Scheme to Support MSMEs on ONDC and Yashasvini Campaign for Women Entrepreneurs
MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has initiated a groundbreaking program to improve the digital commerce capabilities of micro and small businesses (MSEs) in honor of MSME Day 2024. With a budget of Rs 277.35 crore spread over three years (2024–2027), the new Trade Enablement & Marketing (TEAM) project seeks to make it easier for MSEs registered under the Udyam system to utilize the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
The TEAM program is intended to tackle major challenges that MSEs encounter in the e-commerce industry, including limited digital access, budgetary limitations, and a lack of trust in utilizing online platforms. The project aims to expedite these businesses’ digital transformation process by offering comprehensive support, which includes catalog development, ONDC onboarding, and continuous account management.
Financial assistance for MSEs in fields like logistics, packaging, and package design is also provided by the TEAM plan. The goal of this all-encompassing strategy is to better position MSEs to succeed in the digital economy.
“The ministry expects 5 lakh MSEs to benefit from the scheme in three years, with 50 percent of the beneficiaries being women-owned enterprises,” stated Minister Manjhi. This demonstrates the government’s dedication to gender inclusion, which is further exemplified by the Yashasvini campaign’s introduction. Through skill development and capacity building, this initiative seeks to empower one lakh women entrepreneurs in smaller towns. It also provides specialized support to women-led MSMEs in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, promoting an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Targeting MSME clusters and tier 2 and 3 cities, the ministry intends to hold 150 e-commerce workshops to increase awareness and comprehension of the TEAM initiative. By educating MSEs on the advantages and useful features of e-commerce, these workshops will make it easier for them to integrate into the ONDC platform.
Under the World Bank-sponsored RAMP (Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance) program, the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) will oversee the TEAM scheme’s implementation. It is anticipated that by working together, the scheme’s impact will be maximized by utilizing resources and global best practices.
Minister Manjhi presented the six fundamental pillars that underpin MSME initiatives at the launch: credit availability and formalization; enhanced market accessibility and adoption of e-commerce; modern technology-driven productivity improvement; skill development and digitalization in the service sector; globalization of the khadi, village, and coir industries; and the empowerment of women and artisans through the creation of new enterprises.
The government’s all-encompassing approach to creating a conducive atmosphere for MSMEs is reflected in these strategic pillars, which guarantee their prosperity in a market that is becoming more and more digital and competitive. Together, the Yashasvini campaign and the TEAM plan reflect a determined attempt to improve the standing and capacities of MSMEs, with a special emphasis on assisting female entrepreneurs by resolving both structural and operational issues.
In conclusion, a major turning point in the empowerment of MSEs and women-led businesses in India has been reached with the introduction of the Rs 277 crore TEAM plan and the Yashasvini campaign. Over the next three years, these programs hope to benefit 5 lakh MSEs by providing focused support in digital commerce, logistics, and capacity building, hence creating a dynamic and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.