Backward Classes Welfare Minister Jogu Ramanna’s response in negative to a query on the move to set up a separate federation for Nomadic Backward Classes in the State took the Legislative Council by surprise on Friday. The query was raised by BJP member N. Ramachandra Rao during the Question Hour. The Minister responded with a ‘No’ and to another question by when the federation would be set up, he said ‘the question does not arise’. Interestingly the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech on March 12 mentioned that ₹10 crore would be allocated for a separate federation for Nomadic BCs.
The Minister subsequently explained that there was a proposal to add 36 castes with a population of 6.5 lakhs in the Most Backward Classes category. The government asked the BC Commission to look into the issue and give a report. The Minister said they would also appeal to the Centre to add these 36 castes in the MBC list. The government also proposed to give admission to 1,200 students of these 36 castes in residential schools and provide Double Bed Room houses to them wherever they were residing in the districts.
Stand-Up India scheme
Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao said a meeting would be convened soon with the banks to ensure that they support the SC, ST women entrepreneurs under the Stand Up and Start Up India scheme.
Responding to member Ramulu Naik’s question that not many banks were coming forward to help the SC, ST, women entrepreneurs who find it difficult to access capital, the Minister said that the banks were not involved in the Start-up India programme but they were required to support a minimum of two cases every year from among the SC, ST women entrepreneurs under the Stand up India programme.
Of 4,804 bank branches in Telangana, 778 branches so far sanctioned ₹698 crore loan under the Stand up India programme.
