The Karnataka BJP has accused the state government of diverting funds allocated for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for other purposes, labeling it a betrayal of Dalits. The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, stated that Rs 39,000 crore from SCP and TSP allocations over the past three years had been utilized for different objectives. More than 60 Dalit organizations participated in a meeting to collectively denounce the alleged fund diversion.
Questioning the funding approach of the state’s guarantee schemes, Narayanaswamy highlighted that these programs necessitated approximately Rs 52,000 crore annually. He raised concerns about the utilization of SCP and TSP funds for the same purpose despite a budgetary allocation of Rs 52,000 crore. Narayanaswamy also questioned whether financial support provided to other communities was sourced from their respective development corporations.
Allegations have surfaced that the government projects SCP and TSP allocations at Rs 42,000 crore, but the actual amount directly benefiting SC and ST communities is notably lower. Out of the total allocation spanning 34 departments, Rs 21,000 crore is reportedly distributed among them, with around Rs 14,000 crore being utilized for guarantee schemes. This leaves only about Rs 7,000 crore effectively available for the targeted communities. Former Union Minister A. Narayanaswamy, former Minister N. Mahesh, retired IAS officer Lakshminarayan, and various other leaders attended the meeting.
