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Time of India

UP govt releases Rs 70 crore for infusing entrepreneurship amongst SC/ST youth

Lucknow: In a Dalit-centric move, the state govt has formally released a sum of around Rs 70 crore for skill development and infusing entrepreneurship amongst SC/ST groups under the UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) for the 2025-26 fiscal. The sum comprises a 60% share from the Centre (Rs 47.64 crore) and 40% from the state govt (Rs 31.73 crore). In a communique, the state rural development department stated that the rural development commissioner and mission director of the UPSRLM will be responsible for actual ground-level verification of the achieved goals. The two officials will also ensure the issuance of utility certificates upon completion of the project. A senior official in the UPSRLM said that the budget will help the department in its bid to augment the SC/ST groups through training and other measures. Experts believe that the allocation was a clear policy step toward the economic inclusion of Dalits, who have historically faced structural and social disadvantages. By focusing on skill training and entrepreneurship, the govt is attempting to push the narrative of self-reliance and job creation within the socially disadvantaged communities. Being routed through UPSRLM, the initiative links directly to rural empowerment. This includes enhanced non-farm employment opportunities in villages, encouragement of micro-enterprise development, and reduced dependency on traditional or subsistence livelihoods. The Centre-state funding split (60:40) reflects effective cooperative governance, especially in social welfare programmes. It also signals continued Central govt support for inclusive rural development. Nevertheless, the real impact depends on the execution of the scheme. Experts said that the success of this initiative will rely on a number of factors, including the quality and relevance of training modules, market linkages for entrepreneurs, reduction in bureaucratic delays or fund leakages, and inclusion of women and youth within the Dalit community. Analysts said that the development also holds political significance in the run-up to the panchayat polls due next year.