Govt diverts SC/ST funds worth Rs 7,885 cr

Data contradicts the government’s claim that Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been spent for SC and ST development

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Basavaraj Bommai gover nment, which is planning to woo Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC & ST) by increasing their reservation quota, has diverted funds worth Rs 7,885 crore meant for the welfare of the marginalised communities in 2022 alone.

The money has been used for drinking water projects, drainage repair, irrigation and other works. For example, the government spent Rs 3,000 crore on Jal Jivan Mission from the welfare fund. It reasoned that the money was utilised for the project as water supply would be beneficial to the SC and ST communities as well.

The data contradicts the government’s claim that Rs 1.84 lakh crore has been spent for SC and ST development since 2014. Activists say the fund diversion is a major cause for concern. Activist Siddharaju said the fund utilisation has left marginalised communities high and dry.

“The government’s fund allocation remained on paper. The lower caste never benefitted from it. Like, the government promised jobs for people who were victims of caste atrocities, but in reality how many people benefited from it? The number is a far cry from the government data,” he said.

As per the 2011 census, ST and SC constitute 24.1 per cent (17.15 per cent SC and 6.95 per cent ST). The Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Allocation and Tribal Sub-Allocation (Planning, Allocation & Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013 states that the government has mandatory budget allotments for marginalised communities.

The Act requires the government to use 24 per cent of its total budget to provide welfare for the SC and ST.