All you Need to know about Dalitha Bandhu scheme | Telangana

The Dalitha Bandhu scheme: Explained

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The Telangana government has declared that under the Chief Minister Dalit Empowerment Programme, it will provide financial support of Rs 10 lakh to eligible Dalit beneficiaries in a first-of-its-kind program.

What is the Dalitha Bandhu scheme?

The Telangana government's current flagship program is Dalit Bandhu. Through a direct benefit transfer of Rs 10 lakh per family, it is designed as a welfare scheme for empowering Dalit households and enabling entrepreneurship among them. This will be the country's largest cash transfer scheme once it is implemented on the ground.

Earlier this year, the state budget established a Dalit empowerment program along these lines. To examine the plan, the Chief Minister called the first-ever all-party meeting with elected Dalit officials and leaders on June 25.  An initial investment of Rs 1,200 crore has been approved.

Where will Dalithu Bandhu start implementing:

The CM stated that getting the scheme's benefits to the poorest of the poor would be his top priority, thus he opted to pilot it in the Huzurabad Assembly constituency. The scheme will be phased out across the state based on the Huzurabad implementation experience. Before establishing rules for the scheme, officials were requested to visit Dalit colonies and engage with Dalit households to learn about their experiences and views. After inspection based on these standards, beneficiaries would be chosen from among the constituency's 20,929 eligible Dalit families.

Other Benefits of the Dalitha Bandhu scheme:

KCR has acknowledged past schemes for Dalit empowerment, where governments have sought bank guarantees from the beneficiaries, and said his government will ensure Dalit Bandhu is free.

“The governments in the past came out with some schemes and asked for bank guarantees. How can Dalits who toiled with their hands get bank guarantees? Hence, the financial assistance given by the government through Dalit Bandhu is free. This is not a loan. There is no need to repay it. There is no chance of any middlemen in this. Eligible beneficiaries will get the assistance in their bank accounts,” he said.

To promote Dalit entrepreneurship, the government has decided to start a system of reservations for Dalits in sectors where the government issues licenses. The government will provide reservations for Dalits in

1. Issuing licenses for wine shops,
2. Medical shops,
3. Fertilizer shops, 
4. Rice mills, etc.

Who will manage the funds

Aside from monetary help, the government intends to establish a permanent fund called the Dalit Security Fund to assist the beneficiary in the event of difficulty. The fund will be managed by the concerned district collector and a committee of beneficiaries. The beneficiary will contribute a minimum amount to this fund. 

• The recipient will be given an identity card with an electronic chip, which will allow the government to track the scheme's progress.