India, Nov. 1 -- As a nation that aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, we need to ensure that growth is inclusive, taking along all sections of society, particularly those who were historically left behind. While the past three decades have seen a promising upswing in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) is welfare expenditure from 0.06% of the Union Budget of 1995 to 6% in 2024-25, money alone is not enough to bring in equity. The allocation of Rs.2.9 lakh crore this year shows intent, but inclusion means that we need to tackle systemic exclusions, enhance access to credit, and build supportive networks for SC/ST entrepreneurs.

Initiatives like Stand-Up India, the Venture Capital Fund (VCF) for SCs, and the Ambedkar Social ...