The second phase of Dalit Bandhu will begin soon in the state. A total of 1100 beneficiaries will be selected from each assembly constituency. In the first phase, a total of 38,323 people benefitted from the scheme. Under the scheme, each Dalit family will get a grant of Rs. 10 lakh to start their own enterprise.
The scheme was launched in Huzurabad in 2021 and was implemented in other villages such as Vasalamarri in Bhuvanagiri district, Chinthakani and other villages in Khammam district as a pilot project. The state government has allocated Rs. 17,700 crore in the budget for Dalit Bandhu. Except for Huzurabad which was already covered completely, beneficiaries will be selected in the rest of the 118 Assembly constituencies.
Social Welfare minister Koppula Eshwar describing CM KCR as modern-day Ambedkar said foolproof arrangements are being made for the effective implementation of the scheme. An online portal and mobile application were put in place. The details pertaining to earlier beneficiaries, their units and current status of the unit and other details were made available. Applications will be received online. After the selection, each of the beneficiaries will get Rs. 10 lakh in their bank account. The officials will guide them on the selection of units and their grounding.
Mr Eshwar said it was a good scheme never thought of by any political leader or party in the country. It was a surprise gift to the Dalits. Doubting the intentions of CM KCR or criticising the Dalit Bandhu scheme is intolerable and disgusting, he said.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao