Tangadagi justifies using part of SCSP-TSP funds for guarantee schemes

Karnataka Minister defends use of SCSP and TSP funds for guarantee schemes, challenges BJP to prioritize SC/ST development.

Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi has justified the use of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) funds for the implementation of guarantee schemes by stating that it was not illegal or irregular since it would be used for the same communities.

Arguing that it was wrong to call it “diversion”, Mr. Tangadi told reporters in Koppal, “What is wrong in spending SCSP-TSP funds for the development of SCs and STs through the guarantee schemes? It was the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah which had introduced the SCSP and TSP in the State. Karnataka is the only State to have such an initiative to reserve 24.1% of the Budget amount for the development of SCs and STs. I want to ask Chalavadi Narayanaswamy [Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council] to tell us whether we are using the money for any other community such as Vokkaligas and Lingayats.”

When asked how the government could ascertain the exact amount of money spent on SCs and STs in a guarantee scheme such as Shakti, which offers free travel for women in buses operated by all State-owned transport corporations, Mr. Tangadagi said it was possible to know it through percentage calculation. “Let the BJP leaders question in the House, and we will show them,” he said.

In his response to the BJP’s planned agitation against the alleged diversion of SCSP and TSP funds for the guarantee schemes, Mr. Tangadagi asked the BJP leaders to first ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adequately allocate funds for the development of SCs and STs, just as Karnataka has done. “If they have guts, let them ask Mr. Modi to reserve 24.1% of the Union Budget’s funds for the development of SCs and STs in the country,” he said.

Mr. Tangadagi also challenged the BJP leaders to demand the cancellation of the guarantee schemes if they were so upset with them, instead of taking exceptions to the way the schemes were being implemented.

“There is nothing wrong with taking some funds from SCSP and TSP schemes and spending them for the SCs and STs through the guarantee schemes. If they don’t want the guarantee schemes, they should say it clearly and directly ask the government to stop the schemes. BJP leaders don’t have any concern about the development of poor people. That is why they are criticising the guarantee schemes,” he said.

The BJP is holding a meeting on Sunday in connection with the issue, in which a few Dalit organisations are also expected to participate.