Tribal livelihood scheme stalled over fund delay

Metro India News | ADILABAD

Thousands of eligible tribal beneficiaries under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme in the erstwhile Adilabad district are still waiting for financial assistance as the programme remains stalled due to non-release of government funds.

The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Utnoor, had prepared an action plan worth Rs. 191 crore to provide livelihood opportunities to unemployed Scheduled Tribe youth through a combination of government subsidy and bank credit. However, the scheme has not taken off, leaving beneficiaries in uncertainty.

According to officials, the programme was designed to support 14,305 eligible applicants from the tribal population of 4,95,794 in the ITDA Utnoor jurisdiction, as per the 2011 Census. The initiative aimed to promote self-employment by offering financial assistance for a range of income-generating activities.

The approved units included oil engines, pairs of bullocks, goat and sheep rearing, poultry farming, fisheries, grocery stores, mobile shops, agricultural equipment, nurseries and beekeeping. Financial assistance ranged from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 4 lakh depending on the unit.

The subsidy pattern proposed 100% assistance for units worth Rs. 50,000, 90% subsidy for Rs. 1 lakh units, 80% subsidy for projects up to Rs. 2 lakh and 70% subsidy for units costing between Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 4 lakh.