Bengaluru, March 4 (IANS). The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday accused the state Congress government of alleged misappropriation of funds allocated under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and demanded Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to respond on the issue.
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the state government has systematically diverted funds meant for SC/ST welfare in three consecutive budgets to its own guarantee schemes. He termed it as “systematic plundering year after year” of the resources of Dalit and tribal communities.
According to Ashoka, of the Rs 42,018 crore officially allocated under SCSP and TSP, about Rs 35,000 crore was diverted to the implementation of guarantee schemes, leaving only about Rs 7,000 crore for targeted development programmes. He claimed that around Rs 39,000 crore earmarked for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes has been misused.
He alleged that these funds, which are legally mandated for schemes related to education, health and empowerment, are being used like a “personal piggy bank” to compensate for the alleged financial mismanagement of the Chief Minister.
Taking aim at Rahul Gandhi, Ashok said that the leader who gives the slogan of “As much population, as many rights” at the national level is silent on this “historical injustice” happening in Karnataka. He questioned whether the alleged diversion of funds was in line with the Congress’s commitment to equality and social justice.
The opposition leader also alleged that the Congress government is repeatedly targeting SC/ST allocations to continue its “freebie politics”, which is a direct attack on the legal rights of SCs and STs.
Ashok warned that more than 70 organizations are ready to protest on this issue. He demanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to give a clear assurance in the upcoming budget that any alleged diversion of SCSP and TSP funds will be stopped.
–IANS
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