SC/ST funds diverted to Commonwealth Games

Based on information from RTI responses, Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) claims to have found that from 2006 to 2010, Rs 744.354 crore, allocated for the Special Component Plan (SCP) in the Delhi state Budget, was diverted to infrastructure development for the Commonwealth Games. The departments that have allegedly diverted funds are Transport, Sports and Youth, Delhi Jal Board and Urban Development.

The SCP was set up by the National Development Council and the Planning Commission exclusively for micro development of the SC/STs.

“The HLRN was shocked to find in the Budget analysis  that Rs 744.354 crore from the SCP from 2006-2007 to 2009-2010 has been allocated to the Games,” said Miloon Kothari, former UN Special Rapporteur and Executive Director of HLRN. This when the Union government has repeatedly emphasised that funds under the SCP should be used only for the benefit of the SC/STs and not be diverted under any circumstances.

“Alarmingly, even the Planning Commission continued to sanction Delhi government budgets without questioning the diversion of funds despite being aware of the exclusivity of the SCP,” Kothari said.

The HLRN has sought an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General  into the issue.