16 Apr 19: Taking a cue from the Centre, the Uttar Pradesh government is mulling mandating 25% procurement by state government departments and public sector undertakings (PSU) from the local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). UP is home to about 4 million MSMEs and the sector is the second largest employer after agriculture. The proposed procurement policy is expected to provide a major boost to the beleaguered sector, which has been weathering tough competition and a general slowdown over the past several years.