Rajiv Yuva Vikasam: First Phase Financial Assistance From November 19

The Telangana government is seeking to move beyond a welfare-based approach by creating opportunities for young people to become self-reliant entrepreneurs and wealth creators, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said. He announced that the first phase of financial assistance under the state’s flagship Rajiv Yuva Vikasam programme will be provided from November 19.

Bhatti Vikramarka made the announcement during a review meeting held at Praja Bhavan with Social Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar and senior officials. The meeting focused on the functioning of the SC and ST Welfare departments, along with measures to improve economic opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government’s objective was to provide youth with avenues for self-employment and sustainable livelihoods, rather than limiting them to the benefits available through welfare schemes. The Rajiv Yuva Vikasam initiative is specifically intended to support young people belonging to SC, ST, BC and minority communities in setting up income-generating activities.

Officials were instructed to sanction self-employment units to eligible applicants who had applied for financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh. Bhatti Vikramarka stressed that the process of identifying beneficiaries must be conducted fairly and without room for irregularities.

He directed officials to ensure that the selection process was carried out with transparency and accountability, with district Collectors overseeing the exercise. The instructions are aimed at ensuring that assistance reaches eligible applicants and that the implementation of the programme remains properly monitored at the district level.

During the review, the Deputy Chief Minister also spoke about the government’s priorities in the education sector. He assured officials that there would be no shortage of funds for education under the government’s Indiramma Rajyam agenda.

Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated that economic empowerment of youth would remain a key priority. Through Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, the government intends to help eligible young people establish their own livelihood opportunities, improve their earning capacity and move towards greater financial independence.

The first phase of assistance scheduled from November 19 is expected to mark a significant step in implementing the programme’s self-employment objective. The government has also emphasised transparent beneficiary selection and effective monitoring to ensure that the financial support translates into viable livelihood opportunities for the targeted communities.