TICCI AP President M. Bhaskara Rao urge to CM Chandrababu take steps Enhance the living standards of tribal communities

Tribal Welfare Petition Submitted to Andhra Pradesh CM Seeking Economic Development Measures

Amaravati: In a bid to enhance the living standards of tribal communities in Andhra Pradesh, TICCI Andhra Pradesh Chapter President M. Bhaskara Rao submitted a petition to Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu through Tribal Welfare Secretary Smt. Mallikharjuna Naik, IAS. The petition emphasizes the need for economic empowerment and financial support to facilitate entrepreneurship among tribal populations.

The representation outlines four key demands aimed at fostering self-reliance and sustainable growth among tribal communities:

1. Collateral-Free Loans for Tribal Entrepreneurs: The petition highlights the challenges faced by tribal entrepreneurs in securing business loans due to the lack of collateral. It requests the allocation of funds from the Tribal Sub-Plan to Andhra Pradesh State Financial Corporation (APSFC) to establish a Tribal Credit Guarantee Fund, ensuring access to collateral-free financial assistance.

2. Venture Capital and Growth Funds: The appeal seeks the establishment of a Tribal Entrepreneur Growth Fund, similar to the central government's venture capital provisions for Scheduled Tribes. It also urges NABARD and SIDBI banks to extend credit support to tribal businesses under the CBSE scheme.

3. Low-Interest Loans Through a Government MOU: The petition recommends that the Andhra Pradesh government enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a scheduled bank to provide loans to unemployed tribal youth at a concessional 4% interest rate, significantly lower than prevailing market rates.

4. Skill Development and Business Incubators: To promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among tribal youth, the petition calls for the establishment of Zonal-Level Skill Development Centers and Tribal Business Incubators. These initiatives aim to equip tribal youth with the necessary skills and resources to become successful industrialists.

Speaking on the occasion, M. Bhaskara Rao urged the state government to actively support these initiatives, emphasizing that empowering one tribal family economically could lead to the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs, thereby uplifting the entire community.