Kerala offers ₹10 lakh subsidy for SC/ST women entrepreneurs under new Dakshayani scheme
The Kerala government has announced a new scheme, 'Dakshayani', to promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among women from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Welfare Minister K.A. Thulasi unveiled the scheme in Thrissur on Saturday, stating that the pilot phase will be launched in Palakkad district before expanding to other parts of the state.
The scheme is named after Dakshayani Velayudhan, a social reformer who was the first woman graduate from the SC community and one of 15 women members of the Constituent Assembly of India. The announcement coincided with her birth anniversary.
Under the scheme, self-help groups (SHGs) of SC/ST women will receive financial assistance to start new enterprises or expand existing ones. Registered groups with members aged 18 and above are eligible.
For new ventures, the government will provide a subsidy covering 75% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹10 lakh. The remaining 25% must be raised through bank loans or assistance from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.
Existing enterprises that have been operating successfully for at least two years can receive up to ₹5 lakh in subsidy for expansion.
The Minister said priority will be given to applicants from below poverty line (BPL) families, vulnerable sections, single mothers, widows, transgender persons, entrepreneurs registered with the Kerala Startup Mission or NORKA, and unemployed professional graduates.
