₹13,433cr SCP/TSP funds diverted to guarantee schemes, says minister

RESPONDING to Opposition members' allegations on funds allotted to SCs, STs being diverted towards guarantee schemes, Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa said Rs 13,433 crore reserved for Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan (SCP and TSP) was diverted to guarantee schemes.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Bengaluru

However, opposition members claimed this is injustice to the community. BJP MLA Chandrappa, who raised the issue, said Rs 42,000 crore has been allotted to SC and ST in the budget, but so far, only Rs 7,000 crore is released, and the remaining amount has been diverted to other departments. Chandrappa alleged that in his constituency, over 45,000 applications have been received from SC/ST beneficiaries to dig borewells, but the State government has approved it for only one beneficiary. "If you are diverting funds, we will not get funds for other schemes," he said.