BJP MP Ramesh Jigajinagi.
Credit: DH File Photo
Mangaluru: Vijayapura MP Ramesh Jigajinagi on Saturday condemned the Karnataka Congress government for diverting funds meant for the welfare of SC/ST communities, to its guarantee schemes.
He said no previous government had ever misused funds allocated under Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) for other purposes. Accusing the state government of misappropriating money intended for welfare of Dalits, he questioned how true empowerment could be achieved if funds reserved for SC/ST communities were being redirected to guarantee schemes.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah diverted Rs 25,000 crore from the funds allocated for SC/ST communities to implement guarantee schemes, thereby deceiving these communities,” alleged Ramesh Jigajinagi at a press conference held at the district BJP office on Saturday.
Jigajinagi, criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who claims to be an Ahinda leader, asserted that his so-called "Dalit empowerment" narrative is a bogus statement.
He alleged that just as the Congress had insulted Dr B R Ambedkar in the past, it continues to disrespect Dalits even today. MLC N Ravikumar questioned whether Dalit upliftment could be achieved by diverting funds meant for them into guarantee schemes. He pointed out that, under the tenure of Siddaramaiah, the welfare reach for backward classes has been only 33 per cent.
He alleged that the Congress government is now waiting for the next budget to misuse reserved funds again, with a proposal to divert Rs 15,000 crore already in place. "Under no circumstances should SCSP-TSP funds be used for guarantee schemes in this budget," he said.
Former Nanjangud MLA B Harshavardhan said that if Siddaramaiah announces another diversion of SC/ST funds for guarantee schemes, BJP MLAs would tear up the budget copy and walk out of the Assembly in protest.