Siddaramaiah challenges BJP to urge Centre to bring law on the lines of SCSP-TSP Act

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah defends using SCSP/TSP funds for guarantee schemes, challenges BJP to bring similar legislation in State Legislature.

Under attack from the BJP over dipping into SCSP (Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) allocations to fund guarantee schemes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday challenged the saffron party to move a resolution in the State Legislature urging the Centre to bring in a legislation similar to Karnataka Scheduled Castes Sub-Allocation & Tribal-Sub Allocation (Planning, Allocation and Utilisation of Financial Resources) Act, 2013.

Defending the utilisation of SCSP/TSP funds in the guarantee schemes, the CM, on multiple occasions challenged Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanswamy to move a resolution in this regard. “You move the resolution urging the Centre to bring a similar legislation to ensure 24% allocation to the SC-ST population in the country. If you cannot, we will move the resolution and you support it,” the CM challenged during his reply on the Governor’s speech in the Legislative Council where the BJP members later staged a walkout expressing dissatisfaction with his reply.

With various Dalit groups also opposing using part of funds for guarantee schemes, the government has been under pressure to justify its decision.

Till February 2025, he said that ₹76,509 crore has been spent on guarantee schemes benefitting 1.26 crore families through Gruha Lakshmi and Anna Bhagya, and 1.42 crore families through Gruha Jyothi.

He also spoke about the Centre-controlled Indian Institute of Public Administration and delegations from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala coming here to study the guarantees since January. “I am confident of presenting a revenue surplus budget next year,” he said.

During his nearly two-hour reply that was marked with frequent interruptions and heated exchanges between the Opposition and Treasury benches, Mr. Siddaramaiah listed out a number of steps taken by his government for SC/ST welfare, and questioned BJP’s contribution for Dalit welfare. “We removed provision of 7D in the Act to prevent diversion of funds. Why did you not remove 7D? You misused this provision for four years,” he pointed out, adding that nearly ₹8,000 crore was diverted during BJP rule between 2019 and 2023. Further, he said, “Our government brought the Consequential Seniority Act and introduced reservation for SC/ST community in public contracts.” 

To the Opposition’s attack on hiking various tariffs and linking the hikes to fund guarantees, the Chief Minister said, “I am not denying that we have increased prices. Taxation is continuous process. All the increases together bring the government about ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 crore. Guarantees need about ₹51,000 crores annually.” He also pointed to almost doubling of the price of petroleum products since Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken charge.