Times of India: Madurai: Thursday, March 27, 2025.
A Right to Information Act (RTI) reply received by a Madurai-based tribal welfare activist has revealed that under the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS), only 2,295 beneficiaries benefited in 21 months, while more than 85% of applicants were rejected. It has been demanded that the scheme be properly implemented by analysing the reasons for rejection and increasing the allotment of funds.
Activist S Karthik, in an
RTI query, sought details on the applications received, beneficiaries selected,
and funds allotted under the scheme for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. The AABCS
provides a 35% capital subsidy (not exceeding 1.5 crore) on eligible project
costs for eligible SC/ST beneficiaries under the micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) department.
"This scheme can greatly support SC/ST youngsters who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. There is no minimum educational qualification needed as well. However, out of 17,629 applications received across 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, a vast majority of 15,334 applications were rejected in 21 months since 2023," said Karthik. Further, among the 2,295 selected beneficiaries, the highest number of 135 were from Tiruvallur district, while Kanyakumari had the lowest with just six beneficiaries. In 21 months, a total of 259 crore was allotted for the districts under the scheme.
"If there is a lack of sufficient funds, then steps should be taken to increase the allocation of funds based on demand. At least 10,000 beneficiaries need to be targeted in a year by encouraging youngsters. There also needs to be transparency in the reasons for the rejection of the applications," added Karthik.
A Right to Information Act (RTI) reply received by a Madurai-based tribal welfare activist has revealed that under the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS), only 2,295 beneficiaries benefited in 21 months, while more than 85% of applicants were rejected. It has been demanded that the scheme be properly implemented by analysing the reasons for rejection and increasing the allotment of funds.
"This scheme can greatly support SC/ST youngsters who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs. There is no minimum educational qualification needed as well. However, out of 17,629 applications received across 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, a vast majority of 15,334 applications were rejected in 21 months since 2023," said Karthik. Further, among the 2,295 selected beneficiaries, the highest number of 135 were from Tiruvallur district, while Kanyakumari had the lowest with just six beneficiaries. In 21 months, a total of 259 crore was allotted for the districts under the scheme.
"If there is a lack of sufficient funds, then steps should be taken to increase the allocation of funds based on demand. At least 10,000 beneficiaries need to be targeted in a year by encouraging youngsters. There also needs to be transparency in the reasons for the rejection of the applications," added Karthik.
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