Kerala launches ‘Dakshayani’ scheme to boost entrepreneurship among SC/ST women

The State government has announced a new scheme, ‘Dakshayani’, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Announcing the scheme in Thrissur on Saturday, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi said the pilot phase would be launched in Palakkad before extending it to other districts.

The scheme has been named after Dakshayani Velayudhan, social reformer, the first woman graduate from the Scheduled Castes community, and one of the 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly of India. The announcement coincided with her birth anniversary.

Under the scheme, self-help groups of SC/ST women will receive financial assistance to start new enterprises or expand existing ones. Registered groups comprising members above the age of 18 will be eligible for assistance.

For new ventures, the government will provide a subsidy covering 75% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹10 lakh. The remaining 25% will have to be mobilised through bank loans or assistance from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

Existing enterprises that have been operating successfully for at least two years will be eligible for a subsidy of up to ₹5 lakh for expansion.

The Minister said priority would be given to applicants from below poverty line (BPL) families, vulnerable sections, single mothers, widows, transgender persons, entrepreneurs registered with the Kerala Startup Mission or NORKA, and unemployed professional graduates.