Cong MLC asks dalits to become entrepreneurs

NT Correspodent Mysuru: Karnataka Congress MLC D Thimmaiah on Wednesday asked the Dalit community to focus on the industrial sector to empower the community. It is because of lack of focus on the industrial sector that the oppressed community is lagging behind, stated Thimmaiah at a workshop for SC/ST entrepreneurs organized by Power Grid Corporation of India and the National SC/ ST Corporation in the city.

He said that though Dalits have achieved a lot of progress in education and in the social and political sectors, they still lag behind in the establishment of industries which is a must to generate jobs and achieve economic progress. Recalling the role played by Dr BR Ambedkar in the empowerment of weaker sections of society, Thimmaiah asked SC/ STs especially women to become entrepreneurs and set up industries.

The MLC promised that he would make all efforts to prevail upon the Union government to ensure four percent quota for SC/ STs entrepreneurs in all Union government procurements and also urged the state government to fix a 10 percent procurement quota from SC/ST entrepreneurs. He plans to discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the issue of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board(KIADB) allotting Industrial plots to Dalit entrepreneurs and providing incentives and subsidies for promotion of their industrial activities.