HYDERABAD: The state government has expedited the implementation of Dalit Bandhu scheme in 118 Assembly constituencies across the state. At present, the scheme is being implemented only in Huzurabad Assembly constituency on a pilot basis besides Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao’s adopted village Vasalamarri in Bhongir district, where the scheme was launched in August last year.
The scheme is also being implemented in Chintakani mandal of Khammam district, Tirumalagiri mandal of Suryapet district, Charagonda mandal of Nagarkurnool and Nizamsagar mandal of Kamareddy district on a pilot basis.
The state government has decided to ground the scheme in the remaining 118 Assembly constituencies by March and extend Rs 10 lakh financial assistance to each of the 100 Dalit families in every constituency by March-end.
It has sanctioned Rs 1,200 crore for the purpose. Beneficiaries will be selected on the advice of MLAs and the beneficiary list should be approved by the district in-charge ministers concerned.
Minister Koppula Eashwar and Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar along with top officials held a video conference with the district collectors on Saturday and issued instructions to ground the Dalit Bandhu scheme by March. Each beneficiary will be allowed to choose a business, occupation or a
self-employment unit as per their needs.
The officials were asked to facilitate establishment of these units. The government had already allocated Rs 1,200 crore of which Rs 100 crore had been released. The remaining amount will be released into the accounts of beneficiaries in a phased manner.
