Minister Satish Jarkiholi at a meeting of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes legislators in Belagavi on the problems faced by Dalit entrepreneurs. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi will lead a delegation of all legislators from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to seek permanent solutions to several problems faced by Dalit entrepreneurs.
It was decided at a meeting of the Karnataka Dalit Businessmen’s Association in Belagavi on Wednesday.
As many as 32 legislators from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities from all parties were present in the meeting.
Satish Jarkiholi said this is the first time such a large number of Dalit ministers and MLAs have come together to support Dalit entrepreneurs.
“It is heartening to see that Dalits who worked as farmers or servants of the land and the rich are starting businesses and providing employment to others. We need to support such initiatives and ensure that their number increases. Let’s hold a meeting of the ministers and officials of the relevant departments under the chairmanship of the chief minister and try to solve the problem,” he said.
“Apart from organizing consultative meeting of Dalit entrepreneurs at division and district level, work needs to be done to provide vocational training to Dalit youth. Dalits should also set up educational institutions and banks along with businesses. Injustice and discrimination faced by Dalits in all departments needs to be identified and remedied,” he said.
“Dalit entrepreneurs are facing several problems regarding allotment of land, subsidies, loans and reservation of business opportunities. Successive governments have remained oblivious to our problems. We demand early release of benefits and incentives,” said former MP L. Hanumantaiah.
Dr. Hanumantaiah said KIDB is not providing 24.1% reservation in allotment of seats as per list. Up to 280 pending seats have not been allocated. Karnataka State Finance Corporation scraps tax incentive scheme of 4% interest if entrepreneurs fail to pay several installments on time. There is a delay in the release of the tax subsidy. Due to all these problems, those who are eager to start a business cease to be interested,” he said.
Minister KH Muniyappa said that during his tenure as the Union Industries Minister, he ensured that more than one lakh Dalit entrepreneurs started industries and businesses across the country.
“Good living conditions for Dalits does not mean restricting them to rearing animals or poultry. They should have higher aspirations and should be supported,” he said. “If we make them entrepreneurs, they will lead a self-sufficient life and provide jobs to others,” he said.
He said he would join a delegation to the Chief Minister to urge him to resolve the issues.
“I will urge the chief minister to create an environment where Dalits can easily set up businesses. We will also try to organize a meeting of industry and welfare ministers,” he said.
Minister RB Thimmapura said that the money allocated by the government for the upliftment of Dalits is not being spent by some departments.
He said that officials of all concerned departments should work in a coordinated manner. In fact, the state government should start a program to promote investment in Dalit enterprises.
“At the same time, we should see that no beneficiary abuses government benefits or incentives,” he said.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Rudrappa Lamani, KDEA Secretary CT Srinivas and others were present.
Published – 17 Dec 2025 22:25 IST
