The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday announced the establishment of a dedicated SC/ST entrepreneur facilitation centre and offered various incentives, such as seed capital assistance, reduction on power bills and GST. There will also be a reduction in operating costs for the Dalit and Adivasi entrepreneurs as part of the special industry policy for SC and ST communities under the ‘Jagananna YSR Badugu Vikasam.’
According to the government, the new industry policy for 2020-23, aimed at empowering entrepreneurs from underprivileged communities, would encourage participation of SC/ST entrepreneurs by providing special incentives to promote the 362 manufacturing and 9,754 service sector activities belonging to them, the press release said.
The government has also assured the easy availability of land for Dalit and Adivasi entreprenuers under the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) guidelines. “The APIIC allotment guidelines will be redesigned to provide at least 16.2% and 6% of the developed land reserved for SC/ST entrepreneurs, respectively, in the industrial parks,” the press release noted.
Further, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government has announced the creation of a dedicated SC/ST entrepreneur facilitation cell to help SC/ST entrepreneurs in quick implementation of projects.
Besides these welfare programmes for socially-disadvantaged communities, the government has also announced the training of aspiring entrepreneurs through AP State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) colleges.
Speaking on the newly-launched policy, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “Our new industrial development policy 2020-23 launched recently is centered on balancing growth across regions and communities. I firmly believe that this new policy is a vital step towards promoting entrepreneurship amongst the marginalised for inclusive growth and development.”
The policy will provide an added focus on strengthening pre-establishment support, improving market linkages, credit facilities, and economic development, according to the government.