Telangana government to set up Dalit entrepreneurship centre

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today that his government would provide land as well as Rs 5 crore financial assistance to set up a Dalit entrepreneurship incubation centre in the state capital.
He also said that Telangana government plans to earmark 22 per cent of land allotted for industrial use to SC and ST entrepreneurs, besides training 200 SC and ST contractors.
Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day industrial and trade expo organised by Dalit Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), the chief minister said his government would offer all support to entrepreneurs though the state's new industrial policy.

He also sought co-operation from corporates to be connected with the Dalit workforce so that the country could march forward.
"I assure you that all sorts of co-operation will be extended to DICCI members. We will also make the organisation a permanent invitee while taking all government policy decisions. We will allot one acre of land in Hyderabad and Rs 5 crore to set up a Dalit entrepreneurship incubation centre," Rao said.
He said that commercial establishments in the state capital would remain open on Sundays also and a decision to this effect was taken yesterday, which would be implemented soon.

He said that SMEs have been facing difficulties in getting seed capital as well as margin money.

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government is committed to implement the PSU Procurement Policy which would be implemented from April this year, mandating 20 per cent outsourcing from SMEs including 4 per cent from SC and ST entrepreneurs.
DICCI's Founder Chairman Milind Kamble lauded Telangana's industrial policy as the "most Dalit-friendly".
Noted industrialist and past CII chairman Adi Godrej was among those who spoke during the session.