Followup: MP government could not give loans to Dalits even up to 10 percent of the target!

Under the Chief Minister’s Scheduled Caste Special Project Funding Scheme, there is a provision for distribution of loans up to two crores to Dalit youth for industry. The target number is only 10. Progress on the number of applications till date is zero. Means not a single application was made under this scheme. The investigation of The Mooknayak revealed that Dalit youths are not aware of the schemes of the government.

Bhopal. Scheduled caste youth are not getting the benefit of the schemes run by the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation Limited. On one hand, the government makes many schemes to woo this class, but on the ground, their operation looks like zero. The situation is now such that the target number of applications and beneficiaries in the schemes of the Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation is less than 10 percent. In his investigation, The Mooknayak took information about the beneficiaries from the applications received in the corporation. From the figures obtained, the case does not appear to be anything other than just wooing the Dalits! Here is our special report…

In the earlier published report on the matter, we had told that the allocation of Rs 40 crore sanctioned by the government in the Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation has not been done till date. Now the Scheduled Caste Corporation is waiting for the sanctioned amount after collecting the applications received. According to the sources, till when the corporation gets the amount, it is not decided. However, when The Mooknayak tried to understand this matter even more deeply, another new example of negligence of the government in the matter came to the fore.

In fact, the Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation is currently operating 4 schemes. Under these schemes, there is an intention to connect Dalit youth with commercial employment and to strengthen them financially, but Dalit youth are not getting the benefit of the corporation’s schemes. The application of the target fixed for the schemes by the corporation is less than 20 percent. At the same time, the applications accepted in the schemes are less than 10 percent.

Progress in the financial year of 2022-23 Till October 31, 2022, the target number of Sant Ravidas Yojana is 1000 thousand, of which 2219 applications were received by the corporation. 261 applications were approved and finally loans could be disbursed to only 251 people.

The corporation had set a target of 10,000 (ten thousand) under the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Economic Welfare Scheme. Under this scheme only 1592 applications have been received by the Scheduled Finance Development Corporation. Of these, only 35 applications were accepted, out of which 21 people got the benefit of the scheme.

Under the Savitribai Phule Self-Help Group Scheme, loans were to be given to self-help groups of women. The target of this scheme has been kept at 500, in which only 19 applications were received by the corporation, and 10 applications were approved. On the other hand, the number distributed till the progress date in this scheme is zero. That is, none of the self-help groups of Dalit women have benefited from it.

Under the Chief Minister’s Scheduled Caste Special Project Funding Scheme, there is a provision for distribution of loans up to two crores to Dalit youth for industry. The target number is only 10. Progress on the number of applications till date is zero. Means not a single application was made under this scheme.

The present figures of the schemes run by the Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation are exposing the indifference of the government towards the Dalits. Schemes were made so that Dalit youth can join professional employment, but the government is completely unsuccessful in bringing the schemes made for Scheduled Castes to the ground. When The Mooknayak investigated the matter, it was found that Dalit youths are not aware of the schemes of the government. In this matter, The Mooknayak spoke to Sunil Ahirwar, a resident of Datia district. So he said that he is not aware of any scheme of Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation.

Publicity of government schemes failed!

The responsibility of the schemes of the Scheduled Caste Finance and Development Corporation has been given to the Collector, District Panchayat Office and District Tribal Welfare Office as well as the District Trade and Industry Department at the district level. Through these, the process of sending applications to the corporation has been made. But the schemes are not being propagated from the district level itself. For this reason, the members of the Scheduled Castes are not aware of the schemes being run. When we understood it deeply, then the negligence of the officers in this matter came to light. In fact, for the promotion of the schemes, the work is done to make the people aware of the schemes by giving information in this regard to the Gram Panchayat of the district. But the district administration is not taking such action. Those who contact in these offices of the district. Only they get information about the plans. But living away from the district, the people of rural areas do not seem to be aware of the schemes.

Presently 4 schemes are being operated

1- Sat Ravidas Self Employment Scheme

Under the Sant Ravidas Self-Employment Scheme, industry projects ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50 lakh are included. Such as agro processing, food processing, cold storage and milk processing and other similar projects.

On the other hand, in service units and retail business projects, loans ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 25 lakh can be availed for beauty parlor, vehicle repair, footwear repair, grocery business and textile business. For this scheme, it is mandatory for the applicant to have 8th pass and minimum age of 18 to 45 years. Also, the annual income of the applicant’s family should not exceed 12 lakhs. Under the scheme, the corporation gives interest subsidy at the rate of 5 percent per annum for financial assistance.

2- Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Economic Welfare Scheme

Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Economic Welfare Scheme includes self-employment projects ranging from ten thousand rupees to one lakh rupees. Loans are also given for the expansion of the business operated in this scheme. To take advantage of the scheme, it is mandatory for the applicant to be in the age group of 18 to 55 years. Along with this, the applicant should not be an income tax payer. Interest subsidy at the rate of 7 percent per annum is given as financial assistance on the loan sanctioned by the corporation.

3- Chief Minister Scheduled Caste Special Project Funding Scheme

Under the Chief Minister’s Scheduled Caste Special Project Funding Scheme, assistance is given in the special project proposals received through various departments in the interest of Scheduled Castes. Financial assistance For this, the maximum amount up to two crore rupees will be given in the form of grant for the entire cost of the scheme.

4- Savitribai Phule Self Help Group Scheme

Under the Savitribai Phule Self Help Group Scheme, women self-help groups have been included in this scheme. To whom there is a provision of giving loan up to two crores.