'Govt used Safai Karmachari funds for loan waiver'

The State government has adjusted the funds earmarked for the development of Safai Karmacharis to the loan waiver scheme, alleged National Commission for Safai Karmacharis member Jagadish Hiremani.

He was speaking to the media here on Tuesday.

“As much as Rs 70 crore was earmarked for the welfare of Safai Karmacharis in the last three years. Unfortunately, the funds were not utilised. All the funds earmarked under Safai Karmachari, Ambedkar Development Corporation, Backward Classes Development Corporation, Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd and Banjara Corporation have been adjusted to the loan waiver scheme,” he said quoting Chief Secretary.

He said the Centre releases funds to the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation.

As per the direction of National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, the grants are released to the respective state governments. For the welfare of Safai Karmacharis, the state government was given Rs 200 crore per year. However, the state government is not availing grants from National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation since 2015 and state government started its own corporation, he said.

As the state government has adjusted the amount to the loan waiver, the Safai Karmacharis in Karnataka were not getting loans from the government. The Safai Karmacharis can avail loan upto Rs 1 lakh from the corporation, he stated.