BJP, Congress ally protest as Karnataka uses SC/ST funds for 'guarantees'

BENGALURU: Karnataka govt's decision to continue using funds allocated under Scheduled Caste Plan and Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan (SCPTSP) for the five guarantee schemes - announced in the run-up to the assembly polls in 2023 - is likely to snowball into a storm. While BJP is planning to appeal to the judiciary, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), Congress' ally, is set to take to the streets in protest.
Although senior govt officials insist "diversion" of SCPTSP funds is not unprecedented and was done even by previous govts, BJP's plan to move court and DSS' "uprising" threat could spell trouble for Congress in upcoming zilla and taluk panchayat elections in the state.
Last week, CM Siddaramaiah said his govt had earmarked Rs 39,121 crore this year for SCPTSP, about Rs 3,900 crore more than what was in the previous fiscal due to an increase in budget size and a decision to apportion 24.1% of the budget outlay for SC and ST communities.
But the determination to use Rs 14,283 crore of the fund for the five guarantee schemes has generated substantial political turmoil. BJP is calling it a "misappropriation."
"BJP is contemplating approaching court since the decision to re-route SCPTSP funds meant exclusively for the welfare of these underprivileged communities is being misappropriated," alleged MLC Chalavadi Narayanswamy. "The resolution to redirect funds by asserting it is being used on SC and ST communities itself is tantamount to implying that money meant for these communities is being used for them while other communities are receiving supplementary benefits. It is equivalent to giving with one hand and taking away with the other."
DSS too is miffed. On Saturday, DSS factions that backed Congress in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections announced an end to their support, insisting Congress is not working "wholeheartedly" for the welfare of SC & ST communities.
"The diversion of SCPTSP funds is an example of unilateral decisions the govt has taken," Indudhar Honnapura of DSS said.
A govt official, however, said: "Under 7(a), (b), and (c) of the SCPTSP Act, the govt can use a portion of the fund for specific development of SC and ST communities. This has been done previously as well, which includes schemes such as Bhagyalakshmi that provides insurance to girl children and free bicycles to girl students."