Row Over SC-ST Funds
A heated debate erupted in the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday after the BJP accused the Congress government of diverting funds meant for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) towards guarantee schemes. The BJP alleged that out of Rs 42,000 crore earmarked under the Social Welfare Department, only Rs 7,072 crore was directly allotted, while large sums were diverted elsewhere. BJP MLA M. Chandrappa and State General Secretary V. Sunil Kumar claimed that Rs 13,500 crore from the SCSP-TSP funds had been redirected for guarantees in 2024-25, calling it a betrayal of Dalit and tribal communities.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka slammed the government as a “habitual offender,” accusing it of misusing Dalit funds for political schemes. JD(S) leader C.B. Suresh Babu also demanded that the government restore the money already used. Sunil Kumar further targeted Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, asking how such funds could be justified for general programmes like the Shakti free travel scheme.
In response, Social Welfare Minister Mahadevappa defended the allocations, citing Section 7C of the SCSP-TSP Act, which he said allows such utilisation. He added that earlier, both BJP and Congress governments had diverted funds under Section 7D, but his ministry had ensured its removal to prevent misuse. He maintained that funds were being directed through 34 departments, covering schemes in agriculture, irrigation, rural development, and welfare programmes, thereby benefiting SC-ST communities as mandated.
While BJP leaders pressed that these funds should not be extended to the general population, Mahadevappa argued that the utilisation is within legal provisions and aligned with NITI Aayog guidelines.