TS releases final tranche of Rs 500 crore under Dalit Bandhu Scheme

Chandrashekar Rao launched the flagship scheme from Salapalli village in Huzurabad Assembly constituency and the government released the first tranche of Rs 500 crore on 9 August, the second tranche of another Rs 500 crore on 23 August, the third of Rs 200 crore on 24 August, the fourth instalment of Rs 300 crore on 25 August, and the final tranche of Rs 500 crore on Thursday.

"The state SC corporation on Thursday released another Rs 500 crore to the Karimnagar collector's account for the Dalit Bandhu pilot project as per the directions of CM K Chandrasekhar Rao. The funding target of Rs 2,000 crore is completed with this release. The government agency has already made arrangements at the field level to undertake the pilot project. With the release of full funds on the orders of the CM, all that remained was to implement the Dalit Bandhu Scheme as per the aspirations of the CM," said the statement from the Chief Minister Office (CMO).

Under the scheme, Rs 10 lakh each will be given to a Schedule Caste beneficiary to encourage entrepreneurship. Official figures reveal that there were 17 lakh SC families in the state. Modelled on the Rythu Bandhu scheme, there will be 100 percent subsidy under the Dalit Bandhu scheme.

"Dalit Bandhu is not a programme, but it is a movement. Everyone should take a firm decision in this regard. Telangana statehood agitation was started by one person. Later we put pressure on the country's political system and became successful. There will be some adverse forces. We will achieve success when we travel on the right path and believe in ourselves," KCR told a select group of SC villagers from Huzurabad on 26 July.

It is pertinent to note that a by-election is due in the Huzurabad constituency. The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of former health minister Etela Rajender. He had quit the TRS to join BJP.