Maha plans sops for dalit, tribal entrepreneurs


The Maharashtra government is mulling over providing special incentives for dalit and tribal entrepreneurs both in terms of preferential land allotment and financial support.
Among the incentives being considered is preferential land allotment within the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) segment in the MIDC zone. Also on the anvil is financial support from the state's social welfare and tribal fund and a separate investment fund within the Small Industries Development Bank of India.

“The state government is considering proposals sent by the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) for entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes. A final decision will be taken by the state cabinet,“ said industries secretary Apurva Chandra.

The DICCI has 3,000 members across the country , a third of which are in Maharashtra. It estimates that SC and ST entrepreneurs comprise over 14-15% of the entrepreneurs within the MSME segment in the country .

“This policy will play a crucial role in boosting the confidence of dalit entrepreneurs.The corporate world has been a major beneficiary of the government's policies and equity,“ said DICCI founder Milind Kamble, who runs MPK Enterprises. The body had been pursuing proposals with the state government over six months.

Kamble says he is hoping for a financial layout of at least Rs 90 crores for the scheme. “Andhra Pradesh and Telengana have taken the lead in this area but Karnataka, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have also offered similar schemes,“ he said.

Among the proposals put forward by the DICCI is that land should be allotted to SC and ST entrepreneurs in proportion to their population in the state in MIDC, CIDCO and maritime areas. It has also suggested direct lending, credit guarantee scheme and fiscal incentives.

Source::: Jan 06 2016 : The Times of India (Mumbai), page 12,
http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31804&articlexml=Maha-plans-sops-for-dalit-tribal-entrepreneurs-06012016010005

Dalit Venture Capital to Aid Entrepreneurs.

The government on Friday launched a Dalit venture capital to encourage entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes.
The “venture capital fund for SCs“ would offer concessional finance to business initiatives of Dalits. Social justice minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said the fund, with an initial capital of Rs 200 crore, would render an unprecedented help to the community .

According to the scheme, about 30 people would benefit from the financing every year and the loans in each case would go up to Rs 15 crore.

IFCI Ltd will act as sponsor, settler and asset management company (AMC) to operate the scheme. The IFCI Ltd would contribute Rs 50 crore which would comprise Rs five crore as sponsor and Rs 45 crore as investor.

The social justice ministry also launched a `Green Business Scheme' for Dalits aimed at providing financial assistance for business initiatives to help fight climate change. Under the scheme, loans at concessional rate of interest for unit cost up to Rs one lakh would be provided to SCs for starting activities like e-rickshaw, solar pump and solar energy powered implements, polyhouse.

Source::::: The Times of India (Mumbai),Jan 17 2015, p.16