SC/ST Entrepreneurs Urge Govt to Release Pending Incentives

VIJAYAWADA: Thousands of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh are facing a deepening financial crisis due to prolonged delays in the release of government incentives, prompting an appeal to the state government for urgent intervention.

In a representation submitted to minister for MSMEs Kondapalli Srinivas, the Kulavivaksha Vyatireka Porata Sangham (KVPS) urged the government to immediately release all pending incentives owed to SC and ST industrialists and protect them from coercive recovery measures by banks.

KVPS state general secretary Andra Malyadri said dalit and tribal entrepreneurs who had set up industries with the aim of contributing to the state’s development were now under severe financial strain, as promised incentives had not been disbursed despite repeated assurances. He said many entrepreneurs were unable to service loans, exposing them to the risk of asset seizure by banks. Appealing for a humane response, the KVPS expressed hope that timely government action would protect the dignity of SC/ST entrepreneurs and prevent thousands of families from slipping into destitution.

Copies of the representation were also marked to the Chief Secretary and senior officials of the industries department.