Jaitley announces packages for SCs, STs

New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday announced a mix of welfare plans and financial allocations to uplift people belonging to the scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs).

Amounts of Rs.50,548 crore and Rs.32,387 crore were announced under the SC plan and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan), respectively, for the welfare of the SCs and STs.

"The government is committed to the welfare of SCs and STs. This year an amount of Rs.50,548 crore is proposed under the SC Plan and Rs.32,387 crore under the TSP," Jaitley said while presenting the union budget for 2014-15.

He further announced a sum of Rs.200 crore to help aspiring entrepreneurs belonging to the SC category.

"To provide credit enhancement facility for young start-up entrepreneurs belonging to scheduled castes, who aspire to be part of the neo-middle class, I propose to set aside a sum of Rs.200 crore which will be operationalized through a scheme by the IFCI," Jaitley said.

He also announced "Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana" for the welfare of tribals.

"For the welfare of the tribals, Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana is being launched with an initial allocation of Rs.100 crore," Jaitley said.