*This is a sponsored feature by Karnataka Government.
Karnataka is known to the world as India’s Silicon Valley, the heart of the nation’s IT industry and the fourth-largest technology hub.
While the knowledge economy and flourishing startups grab the headlines, the state has made great strides toward a progressive and sustainable welfare policy encompassing its most disadvantaged groups.
With gross state domestic product expanding at a CAGR of 13.33% between 2012 and 2017, there’s even more reason to make Karnataka’s development truly inclusive, compassionate and widespread.
Vidyasiri - supporting the dreams of low-income students
Ensuring fair and equitable access to education has been a priority for Karnataka, with its robust knowledge infrastructure comprising 44 universities and more than 4,500 pre-university colleges.
To address the shortage in suitable housing for low-income minority students, the government introduced the Vidyasiri scheme in 2013. All minority students from low-income families are eligible under the program, provided they’re from rural Karnataka and have an annual family income of less than Rs 2 lakh. If selected, students receive a Rs 1,500 payment per month, up to a maximum of 10 months. This stipend covers all levels of post-secondary education, including doctorate studies.
As of 2017, the government has spent Rs 319 crore on scholarships for 2.7 lakh students under Vidyasiri. The 2017-18 budget also sanctioned a one-time payment of Rs 2 lakh for minority students who are accepted to renowned institutes such as IIM and IIT.
Enabling the differently-abled
Karnataka has boldly sought to bring equal economic opportunities to disabled citizens through employment, education, social security. Focusing on ability and treating the disabled as unique contributors to society and the economy, rather than defining them by their limits, has been a hallmark of the state’s disability policy.
Around 5% to 6% of the state population is considered disabled under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Karnataka provides a monthly allowance of Rs 400 to 4 lakh disabled people. Those who qualify as having a 75% and higher percentage of disability receive Rs 1,000 per month.
Barriers to education have lifelong consequences. That’s why residential schools in Karnataka for children with visual or hearing impairments are free of cost and equipped with Braille language and audiovisual resources. The government also funds NGO-administered schools for children with orthopaedic impairments and psychological challenges. Scholarships for disabled students are available from elementary school to the graduate level.
Extending its reputation as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, the government sponsors several programs to spur disabled people toward self-employment. Eligible applicants can receive a Rs 20,000 interest-free loan and a kiosk worth Rs 15,000 to establish a small business.
Those with disabilities who prefer traditional employment avenues can take advantage of reservations in government jobs, set at 3% for categories A and B, and 5% in categories C and D. Additionally, there is state support for NGOs that offer vocational training in trades such as light engineering and cane wiring.
Pioneering positive development for the underprivileged
Under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Act, 2013, a fixed proportion of government expenditure is dedicated to improving the welfare of these two groups. Between 2014 and 2017, more than Rs 47,100 crore was spent under this scheme. These funds are non-divertible, with a particular focus on housing, education and health - three tenets of inclusive development.
On the housing front, the government has boosted the unit cost for constructing houses for SC/ST families that are below the poverty line. More than Rs 2,400 crore has been spent on infrastructure for SC/ST colonies over the last three years.
Aside from the Vidyasiri scheme for low-income students, equipment, stationary, laptops and books worth Rs 224 crore have been distributed to 68,500 SC/ST pupils.
To ensure the startup dream isn’t limited to those from privileged backgrounds or top institutes, Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for skill development centres for SC/ST entrepreneurs. In the last four years, around 1,100 SC/ST entrepreneurs have received loans of Rs 572 crore to fuel innovation and integration.
Poor maternal mortality rates and subpar nutrition have hampered the advancement of these communities. The SCSP and TSP has set aside Rs 25.34 crore over the next two years for 64 mobile health units. These will be deployed to the more than 1,200 villages that have a SC/ST population exceeding 40%.
Similarly, the Vajpayee Arogyashree scheme permits families below the poverty line to get free cashless treatment of up to Rs 2 lakh at specified hospitals for catastrophic illnesses such as cancer, renal failure and cardiac disease.
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