Bengaluru: M.B. Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries, stated on Friday that a high-ranking committee will be established, chaired by Industry Department Secretary S. Selvakumar, to tackle the challenges encountered by Dalit entrepreneurs in the state.
He announced the news during a meeting with the Karnataka Dalit Entrepreneurs Association, which was chaired by Rajya Sabha member L. Hanumantaiah.
As per regulations, the government plans to dedicate 24.10 percent of industrial plots to Dalit entrepreneurs. The minister stated that 391 acres of land have been allocated for Scheduled Caste industrialists and the process will be sped up.
He responded to the request from industrialists by prolonging the moratorium on project execution and payments for beneficiaries assigned plots before the Covid pandemic, from one year to two years.
Patil noted that a quarter of the unassigned plots in older industrial zones will be designated for Scheduled Caste entrepreneurs. He added that when proposals are altered and smaller plots are assigned, a committee led by the District Commissioner will handle concerns for investments under Rs 15 crore.
The minister guaranteed a prompt resolution to problems concerning the allocated plots for Dalit entrepreneurs in Dabaspet, Hassan, Bidadi, and elsewhere.