Hyderabad: Former minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao urged tribal youth to become entrepreneurs and create employment. He also asked TICCI to pressure the government to secure pending subsidies for tribal communities.
Harish Rao spoke at a tribal entrepreneurs’ awareness conference organised by the Tribal Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Siddipet. He attended as chief guest and took part in the launch of the organisation’s Siddipet chapter.
He praised TICCI for seeking to transform tribal youth from job seekers into entrepreneurs who could employ others. Moreover, he said the organisation guided them on subsidies and government schemes. According to Harish Rao, TICCI representatives helped tribal youth understand how to access benefits under Central and state government programmes.
TICCI tribal entrepreneurs should focus on skills, confidence
Harish Rao said confidence, perseverance and discipline were important for tribal youth seeking success in business. He said hard work could help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed.
He cited Ramesh Naik from Nizamabad district as an example. According to Rao, Naik studied at a government school before becoming an entrepreneur who established 16 hotels in London.
He also referred to Suresh Naik, who received assistance under the T-PRIDE programme during the previous BRS government. Rao said Suresh Naik produced Horlicks birthday cakes in Hyderabad and competed with large companies. Therefore, he asked young people to learn from such success stories and build their own businesses.
Harish Rao also highlighted measures taken for tribal communities during the previous BRS government led by K. Chandrashekar Rao. He said the government provided subsidies worth hundreds of crores to promote tribal entrepreneurs.
He claimed the BRS government was the first in the country to establish residential degree colleges for tribal women. In addition, he said it established several Gurukul institutions to provide quality education.
Rao said Telangana increased reservations for Scheduled Tribes in education and employment from 6% to 10% after state formation. Consequently, many tribal students became doctors and engineers, he said.
He also said the previous government converted 3,300 tribal habitations, or thandas, into gram panchayats. The move allowed tribal representatives to become sarpanches and gain political authority, he added.
TICCI tribal entrepreneurs meet turns to government policies
Harish Rao said the BRS government enacted the ST Sub-Plan law and implemented it strictly. Under the system, he said population-based funds that remained unspent could be carried forward instead of lapsing.
The former minister also said the BRS government distributed pattas covering six lakh acres of podu land. He said the measure gave tribal communities land rights and enabled beneficiaries to become farmers.
However, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing tribal communities after coming to power. He alleged that several promises made in its manifesto remained unimplemented.
Rao referred to promises of Rs 10,000 for those passing Class 10 and Rs 2 lakh for those completing postgraduate education. He claimed neither promise had been implemented.
He said the BRS had recently questioned the government about tribal welfare spending in the Assembly. According to Rao, the government said it allocated Rs 2,730 crore to the ST Corporation.
However, he alleged that only Rs 70 crore had been spent. He claimed the expenditure covered items such as electricity bills, fans and vehicles, without creating employment for tribal youth.
Rao also accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s government of taking away one lakh acres of assigned land. He said the Congress had earlier promised pattas for SC and ST lands.
He further alleged that Lambada community members in Lagacharla were jailed and subjected to third-degree treatment after opposing land acquisition. Harish Rao also alleged that tribal lands were being taken and handed over to the Chief Minister’s brother, Kondal Reddy, and son-in-law, Satya.
He claimed the government allocated ST SDF funds in the Budget but spent less than half of them. Similarly, he alleged that the promised job calendar had not resulted in employment for youth.
TICCI tribal entrepreneurs body urged to act as pressure group
Against this backdrop, Harish Rao asked TICCI to expand its role beyond supporting aspiring business owners. He said the organisation should also function as a pressure group on issues affecting tribal youth.
In particular, he asked TICCI to work towards securing pending subsidies. He said the BRS, as the principal Opposition in the Assembly, would fight for tribal communities.
Finally, Harish Rao urged ST youth in Siddipet district to use TICCI’s services. He asked young men and women to become members, develop their skills and emerge as successful entrepreneurs.