The Rajasthan government is expected to launch the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Rajasthan Dalit, Tribal Entrepreneurship Promotion Scheme ahead of the assembly elections next year.
The scheme, which targets Dalits and tribals, aims to provide economic growth and self-employment benefits for the youth. Full-time training in MSME trades and products will be provided under the scheme.
There will be a provision for 10% state participation in selected industries established under the scheme, up to a maximum of 25 lakh per unit, as well as 100% reimbursement of State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) for a period of seven years.
According to a senior official familiar with the situation, chief minister Ashok Gehlot has approved the detailed project scheme, which will provide full-time training for various trades and products in the MSME sector in collaboration with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“For the same, an incubation centre will be set up, where the trainees will be given necessary information related to the establishment of the enterprise, selection of the project, preparation of the project report, practical training on advance machines for setting up the enterprise, technical and efficiency enhancement, operation of the enterprise, marketing of the products, financial transactions. There will be residential training in form and procedure, account maintenance, among others” he said.
He stated that RIICO/Rajasthan Venture Capital Fund will have a 10% stake in the selected industries established under this scheme, up to a maximum of Rs 25 lakh per unit. This collaboration will assist young entrepreneurs in obtaining technical and other approvals.
According to officials, the state government will bear a total burden of 525 crores over the next five fiscal years from grants such as margin money, CGST, and interest.
Manish Godha, a political analyst, commented on the scheme, saying that Dalits and Tribals are a large vote bank in Rajasthan, and there are more than 30 reserved seats for them in the assembly, so a special emphasis on welfare schemes for them is important from an election standpoint. An entrepreneurship development programme is a welcome step that, if implemented successfully, could benefit Congress.