Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme: Telangana’s ₹6,000 Crore Youth Empowerment Plan Faces Transparency Concerns

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has rolled out the ambitious Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme, allocating ₹6,000 crores to provide subsidized loans for unemployed youth. While the initiative aims to boost self-employment and economic empowerment, concerns are growing over its transparency, fairness, and potential political interference.

Key Concerns and Observations

Lakhs of Applicants vs Limited Funds
The number of applicants is expected to run into lakhs, far exceeding the available ₹6,000 crore fund. Questions remain on how the government will ensure fair distribution and whether genuinely unemployed and needy individuals will be prioritized.
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Political Influence in Selection
Selection is managed at the mandal level by MPDOs and at the district level by Collectors. However, there are strong concerns that political interference may lead to favoritism, with local leaders’ associates benefitting over genuine unemployed youth.
Sudden Changes in Application Process
Initially, only a photo and PAN card were required on the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam portal. Recent changes now demand additional documents:
- Agriculture applicants: Patta passbook
- SC/ST/BC/Disabled applicants: Caste/Disability certificate
- Transport sector applicants: Driving license
These last-minute changes have caused confusion and may disqualify applicants unaware of the updated requirements.
Will Educated Youth Be Left Behind?
A large number of applications are expected from below-10th pass candidates, and politically connected individuals may also apply. This raises concerns that PG and degree holders—who are genuinely unemployed—could lose out despite their higher qualifications.

The Need for Transparency

Experts stress that the success of Rajiv Yuva Vikasam depends on fair and transparent implementation. Suggestions include:

Ensuring loans reach genuinely unemployed youth instead of politically favored individuals.
Publishing the final list of beneficiaries publicly to build trust.
Setting up strict monitoring systems to prevent misuse of funds.

Closing Note

With ₹6,000 crore at stake, the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme has the potential to transform youth employment in Telangana. However, without transparency and accountability, it risks becoming another politically influenced initiative with limited real impact.