Legislators from among SCs, STs to meet CM on issues concerning Dalit entrepreneurs

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi will lead a delegation of all legislators from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to seek a permanent resolution to several issues faced by Dalit entrepreneurs.

This was decided in a meeting of the Karnataka Dalit Entrepreneurs Association in Belagavi on Wednesday.

As many as 32 legislators from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities from all parties were present at the meeting.

Satish Jarkiholi said that this is the first time that such a large number of Dalit Ministers and MLAs have come together to support Dalit entrepreneurs.

“It is encouraging to see that Dalits who were working as farm hands or servants of the landed and the rich are starting enterprises and providing employment to others. We need to support such initiatives and ensure that their numbers increase. Let us hold a meeting of Ministers and officials of the departments concerned under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister and try to solve the problem,” he said.

“In addition to organizing a consultation meeting of Dalit entrepreneurs at the divisional and district levels, work needs to be done to provide skill training to Dalit youth. Dalits should also establish educational institutions and banks along with businesses. The injustice and discrimination faced by Dalits in all departments needs to be identified and rectified,” he said.

“Dalit entrepreneurs have been facing several problems regarding land allotment, subsidy, loans and reservation in business opportunities. Successive governments have remained negligent to our issues. We have been demanding timely release of benefits and incentives,” the former MP L. Hanumantaiah said.

Dr. Hanumantaiah said that KIDB is not providing 24.1% reservation in allotment of sites as per roster. As many as 280 backlog sites have not been allotted. Karnataka State Finance Corporation cancels tax incentive scheme of 4% interest, if entrepreneurs fail to repay a few instalments on time. There is a delay in the release of tax subsidy. Due to all these problems, those who are eager to start a business are becoming disinterested,” he said.

Minister K.H. Muniyappa said that he had ensured that over one lakh Dalit entrepreneurs started industries and businesses across the country, during his tenure as the Union Industries Minister.

“Dalit welfare does not mean limiting them to animal husbandry or poultry. They should be given higher aspirations and supported,” he said. “If we make them entrepreneurs, they will lead a self-sufficient life and provide employment to others,” he said.

He said that he will join the delegation to the Chief Minister to urge him to resolve the issues.

“I will urge the Chief Minister to create an environment where Dalits can set up businesses easily. We will also try to organise a meeting of the Ministers of Industries and Social Welfare,” he said.

Minister R.B. Thimmapura said that the money allocated by the government for the upliftment of Dalits is not spent by some departments.

He said that officials of all departments concerned should work in coordination. In fact, the State government should start a scheme to promote investment into Dalit businesses.

“At the same time, we should see that no beneficiary misuses government benefits or incentives,” he said.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Rudrappa Lamani, KDEA secretary C.T. Srinivas and others were present.