Subsidised interest rates soon for dalit entrepreneurs: Govt

As part of its endeavour to promote  the growth of dalit entrepreneurs, Minister for Social Justice, Government of Karnataka, H Anjaneya said on Tuesday said that the state government will assist dalit entrepreneurs through various concessions like 4 per cent subsidised interest rates to facilitate their greater involvement in the business sector.

He said the subsidised interest rates will be implemented in the next state budget.

Speaking at a seminar on ‘Entrepreneurship towards Inclusive Growth’ organised by the Dalit Indian Chamber Of Commerce and Industry, Karnataka chapter (DICCI), Anjaneya said, “India is a large country and historically it has been difficult for dalits to progress; however, after the efforts of the Indian government over the years we now see more progress and the Karnataka government is keen to further supplement this growth.

In the last State Budget, we increased the limit on subsidy amount from Rs 1 - 2 lakh for loans advanced by SC/ST development corporations. We plan to allow a subsidy in the upcoming budget at an interest rate of 4 per cent to SC/ST entrepreneurs.”

Emphasising the need for more concentration on dalit entrepreneurs, AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh said, “Times have changed, now the aim is to employ rather than be employed, and we as a nation can grow when that is more than just a notion. The government has tried to create jobs for dalits. However, how many can they create? We need to ensure that there is a platform for entrepreneurs to stand on their own feet rather than depend on other jobs.”

On the venture capital fund of Rs 200 crore for SC/ST-managed enterprises announced in the Budget, Singh said, “There is a provision in the Constitution to ensure that scheduled castes receives 16 per cent of any subsidy or fund set aside for the public, so the community is entitled to it.”

Involvement of the dalit community in the judicial system has been minuscule, and a change in mindset is required to correct this anomaly.