Is the Congress-led Government in K'taka Neglecting SCs and STs?
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Synopsis
The BJP accuses the Congress-led Karnataka government of misusing funds meant for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, claiming that Dalits have been deceived and denied support. Key concerns include financial misallocation and educational challenges faced by Dalit families. Explore the implications of these allegations and the response from state officials.
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of fund misuse from SCSP and TSP.
- Concerns about Dalit education and financial burdens.
- Criticism of road conditions in Bengaluru.
- Political tensions between BJP and Congress.
- Issues with renaming educational institutions.
Bengaluru, Sep 26 (NationPress) The BJP's Karnataka faction has accused the Congress-led administration of severely undermining the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by misappropriating funds from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), thus deceiving the Dalit community.
During a press briefing at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, stated: “The Congress government pledged Rs 42,000 crore under SCSP and TSP for Dalits. However, Rs 21,000 crore was allocated to various departments. Of the remaining Rs 21,000 crore, Rs 14,000 crore was rerouted for guarantee schemes, effectively deceiving the Dalits.”
He further claimed that the leftover Rs 7,000 crore designated for Dalits was handed over to the Social Welfare Department, where it was misapplied for events such as Republic Day, Constitution Day, and even for the Nagamohan Das Commission.
“This illustrates how funds intended for Dalits have been misallocated,” he emphasized.
Narayanaswamy highlighted various issues that have surfaced within the Social Welfare Department concerning benefits for Scheduled Castes.
“Previously, the government directly covered the educational fees for Dalit students. Now, they have implemented a system where students must initially pay their fees, with reimbursement occurring later. This is intolerable,” he asserted.
Narayanaswamy criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, claiming they resorted to begging to fix potholes in Bengaluru. He noted that despite the renaming of Bengaluru to “Greater Bengaluru” and its division into five zones, there has been little to no actual development.
“The state treasury is utterly drained, and the behavior of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister makes this evident,” he remarked.
He mentioned that BJP leaders have had to engage in protests to “alert the government” about the pothole situation in Bengaluru.
“It’s not just that there are potholes on the roads; the roads themselves are like potholes. This reflects the state government's condition,” he quipped.
He questioned how families from Scheduled Castes, who are already economically disadvantaged, could afford to pay upfront for school and college fees.
“Children are dropping out of education, yet the government appears indifferent,” he lamented.
Narayanaswamy also criticized the renaming of the “Babu Jagjivan Ram Training and Research Center” to the “Indira Gandhi Vocational Development Center.”
“This center was designed to provide guidance and support to Scheduled Caste students. What relevance does Indira Gandhi have to us? Why erase the name of Babu Jagjivan Ram?” he questioned.
Point of View
It is crucial to remain unbiased while reporting on the grievances of marginalized communities. The allegations made by the BJP against the Congress government highlight significant concerns regarding the administration's handling of funds meant for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. It is essential to ensure accountability and transparency in governance to protect the interests of all citizens, particularly the underprivileged.
NationPress
26/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against the Congress-led government in Karnataka?
The BJP alleges that the Congress government has misused funds from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), which were intended to support Scheduled Castes and Tribes, thus deceiving Dalits.
How much money was allocated for SCSP and TSP?
The Congress government announced a total of Rs 42,000 crore for SCSP and TSP, out of which significant portions were reportedly misallocated.
What issues have arisen in the Social Welfare Department?
Concerns include the misallocation of funds meant for Dalits and a new system requiring students to pay their educational fees upfront, which many families can't afford.
What is the current state of the roads in Bengaluru?
BJP leaders have criticized the state government for the poor condition of roads in Bengaluru, stating that the roads are riddled with potholes and that the government has failed to address this issue.
What changes were made to the Babu Jagjivan Ram Training Center?
The center was renamed to the Indira Gandhi Vocational Development Center, which has faced criticism for removing Babu Jagjivan Ram's name, who was significant to Scheduled Caste students.
