YSRC MLAs hail Jagan’s new industrial policy for SCs, STs

Vizianagaram: YSRCP MLAs Merugu Nagarjuna, Alajangi Joga Rao, and Talari Venkat Rao hailed the new industrial policy Jagananna YSR Badugu Vikasam launched by Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy for the welfare of SCs and STs.

Speaking at a media conference held here on 26 October, Merugu Nagarjuna compared Jagan to BR Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule who strove for the betterment of the SCs and STs. He said Jagananna YSR Badugu Vikasam was a special industrial policy for SC and ST entrepreneurs that would provide Rs. 1 crore each to start a new venture.

He said the government would provide incentives worth Rs. 278 crore to the SCs and STs and skill development programmes would be organized to improve their skills. With the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister has proved that welfare and development are the two eyes of the government, the MLA said. He added that 16.2 per cent of the industrial units in the APIIC would be reserved for SCs and six per cent for ST entrepreneurs.

The MLA further said the new policy provides fiscal incentives, besides exemption of stamp duty, land, power, interest subsidy, net SGST, quality certification or patent registration, seed capital, and other assistance as required

Meanwhile, MLA Joga Rao said that while the Chandrababu Naidu government had looked down upon the SCs and STs and never allowed them to come up in life, it was Jagan who turned out to be the savior of the Dalits by introducing the new industrial policy. He said it was a boon to the Dalits. Schemes such as Vasathi Divena, Vidya Divena, Asara, Cheyutha, Amma Vodi, and the introduction of English at the primary-school level started by the Chief Minister are for the all-round progress of the Dalits, Mr. Rao said.

While hailing the new industrial policy, MLA Talari Venkata Rao said the Dalits should be thankful to the Chief Minister for taking the initiative to make them entrepreneurs. He said the new industrial policy was a historic decision taken by the Chief Minister which has not been implemented in any other state. He said all the 28 SC MLAs and seven ST MLAs were indebted to the Chief Minister for his outstanding decision for the uplift of the Dalits.