After Marathas, BJP trying to woo OBCs ahead of polls

Mumbai: After granting 16 per cent reservation to the Maratha community, the BJP-led state government is trying to appease the disgruntled Other Backward Classes (OBC) just ahead of the general elections. The state government has approved Rs 736.50 crores for OBCs, Vimukta Jaati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNTs), and Special Backward Classes (SBCs).

The state cabinet Tuesday approved funds for various welfare schemes of the corporations. Eight proposals were approved for VJNTs, other OBCs and SBCs in the state cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mantralaya.

An official said that Rs 10 to Rs 50 lakh will be given as personal loan to the youth among VJNTs, OBCs and SBCs for new startups. New hostels will be opened in each district of the state for these categories of students. The Savitribai Phule Scholarship scheme will be extended to OBC students.

Addressing a press co-nference at Mantralaya, Ram Shinde, minister for the OBC department, said that plans were afoot to provide financial support to the youth among economically backward classes who were capable of and interested in becoming entrepreneurs through the Annasaheb Patil Financial Development Corporation.

Now, the Maharashtra State Other Backward Class Finance and Dev-elopment Corporation (Ltd.), on the same grounds, will be required to implement various schemes. For this, a grant of Rs 250 crores has been approved. The cabinet has approved a grant of Rs 300 crores for the Vasantrao Naik Vimukta Jaati and Nomadic Tribes’ Devel-opment Corporation over the next three years.

Mr Shinde said that the OBC youth, who wanted to become entrepreneurs and the youth, who desired to become entrepreneurs, would be provided financial aid through the Annasaheb Patil Financial Devel-opment Corporation which runs various schemes.

He said that under the Personal Loan Repayment Plan, OBC youth will be provided a personal loan of rs 10 lakh.