The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCST) has taken suo motu cognisance of the diversion of SC/ST funds by the Karnataka Government to its poll guarantee schemes after a news report said the funds had been repurposed to implement the ruling Congress’s flagship schemes. In a letter to the chief secretary, the commission wrote that Rs 14,730.53 crore allocated under the Karnataka Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) had been redirected to the guarantees schemes. It has also asked for a detailed report from the Government within seven days. Last week the Government decided to utilise funds allocated under the Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and the Tribal-Sub-Plan for providing benefits under the five guarantee schemes, especially to members of the SC and ST communities. A meeting of the Council for SCs/STs Development chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on June 5 approved an action plan of Rs 39,121.46 crore—Rs 27,673.96 crore and Rs 11,447.51 crore for the SCs and the STs, respectively—for implementing welfare programmes for the communities in 2024-25. This will cover the five guarantee schemes as well as other benefits like laptops for students. The decision has triggered a debate and concern among various stakeholders given the crucial role of the funds in addressing the socio-economic disparities faced by SC/ST communities. Responding to the commission’s notice, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, “It is a shame on the national [commission]. Whatever money we are spending we are spending for the same community, as per the law. After Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, we introduced the law in order to use the funds for the welfare of the SC/ST communities. What is wrong with it?” State BJP chief B Y Vijayendra said his party would protest inside the Assembly against the “injustice meted out to Dalits”. “Diverting SCSP-TSP funds meant for the uplift of Dalits for welfare schemes is not justified. It is the responsibility of the state government to respond to the national commission. We have protested against this move already. In the coming days, we will also protest inside the Assembly against the injustice meted out to Dalits,” he said.
