Ministers Launch Welfare Drive for BCs in Ongole
Disburse loans worth Rs 16.77 crore to 671 beneficiaries as part of empowering backward classes
Nellore: Coinciding with the birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, ministers of AP Y. Satya Kumar Yadav and Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy distributed letters sanctioning Rs 16.77 crore to 671 beneficiaries belonging to backward class communities and economically weaker sections at the Prakasam Bhavan in Ongole on Friday.
The loans will help beneficiaries start small businesses or strengthen their traditional occupations towards improving their livelihoods. During the ceremony, the ministers formally launched the state government’s new P-4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) flagship program aimed at poverty eradication through leveraging community and private sector support for the poorest 20 per cent of the society.
They highlighted that alongside central government schemes like MUDRA, PMEGP and Stand-Up India, P-4 will provide collateral-free loans to eligible youth and women belonging to backward and economically weaker communities.
“By fulfilling the ideals of great leaders like Phule, who fought for the downtrodden, our government is committed to development of the underprivileged,” minister Satya Kumar said. He underlined that integrated efforts are underway to ensure that welfare benefits reach every deserving family.
Satya Kumar disclosed that the government aims to assist 8 lakh backward-class individuals through such initiatives, with the vision of alleviating poverty by 2047.
Speaking at the event, collector A. Thameem Ansariya pointed out that 62 per cent of rural and 53 per cent of urban backward class people in the district will require economic support, underlining the importance of schemes like P-4.
The collector underlined that one acre of land has been allotted in Ongole for constructing a BC Bhavan for the benefit of backward classes. Construction works will commence soon, she stated.
Ansariya called on banks and officials to proactively support beneficiaries. “All stakeholders must work together, so that no eligible person is left behind,” she emphasised.
Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhan lauded the state government’s focus on implementing welfare schemes at saturation levels, so that every person eligible gets the benefit.
Those present included Ongole mayor G. Sujatha, public representatives and zilla parishad officials.
