Modi launches 'Stand Up India' to transform lives of SC/STs, Dalits

Image: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressing at the launch of 'Stand Up India' and e-Rickshaw distribution programme, in Noida, Uttar Pradesh on April 05, 2016.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Stand Up India programme in Noida on Tuesday and promised to transform the lives of SC/STs, dalits and women in the process. Stand Up India will provide loans from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 100 lakhs.

“How long will SC/STs and Dalits wait for jobs? How many jobs can the government offer?” asked Modi. “Change is coming to my Dalit and tribal brothers and sisters. They will prosper and progress.”

Interestingly the scheme was launched in Noida in Uttar Pradesh; the state that boasts of the highest Dalit population goes to polls next year. PM Modi had announced the scheme on Independence Day last year. Every bank in India would sponsor a Dalit or tribal individual with affordable bank loans without any collateral for starting a business. The programme will create over 2.5 lakh entrepreneurs. “Stand up India aims to empower every Indian and enable them to stand on their own feet,” said Modi adding that soon the job seeker would become a job provider.

The Prime Minister also introduced Ola’s foray into electric rickshaws on its mobile transportation app. Around 5,100 Ola e-rickshaws were distributed under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana in collaboration with Bhartiya Micro Credit (BMC) and will ply across Delhi NCR before moving into tier 2 and 3 cities.

“The transportation needs of users in smaller towns and sustainable alternatives for cycle rickshaw pedallers will be solved for with the introduction of e-rickshaws on the Ola app, which are affordable, environment friendly and convenient to hail,” said Pranay Jivrajka, Chief Operating Officer, Ola said in a statement.

“We believe this will touch the lives of hundreds of millions of citizens as well as the livelihoods of millions of driver entrepreneurs, taking us closer to our mission of mobility for a billion people.”