BJP Accuses Karnataka Government of Misuse of SC/ST Funds

The BJP has accused the Karnataka government of misusing funds designated for the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan. They claim the funds are being diverted to fulfill pre-poll promises, favoring Muslims for political gains, and are not being used to improve SC/ST communities' livelihoods.

On Friday, the opposition BJP leveled accusations against the Karnataka government for allegedly misappropriating funds designated for the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan (SCSP/TSP). The BJP contends these funds are being redirected toward fulfilling pre-election promises, which they argue unjustly favor the Muslim community for political benefits.

During a heated budget discussion in the Assembly, R Ashoka, the Leader of Opposition, claimed that the SCSP/TSP funds were supposed to uplift scheduled castes and tribes, but were instead being used for unjust causes unrelated to their welfare. Ashoka argued that the funds should have been allocated from general reserves.

The BJP further alleged that the funds had been misused for promotional tourism advertisements, construction of educational buildings, and projects like Project Tiger. Referring to a proposed increase in Muslim reservations, Ashoka cited constitutional concerns, suggesting the government's actions could divide communities along religious lines.

(With inputs from agencies.)