BJP claims ₹39,000 crore of SCSP-TSP funds diverted for guarantee schemes by Congress government in Karnataka

BJP leader Rajkumar Patil Telkur has alleged that funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) under the SCs-STs Component Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) have been misused by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka over the past three years.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on March 5, Mr. Patil said that a total of ₹38,859 crore allocated under the SCSP and TSP grants in 2023-24 (₹11,144 crore), 2024-25 (₹14,282 crore), and 2025-26 (₹13,433 crore) had been diverted for guarantee schemes, benefiting all communities instead of the marginalised sections. “This is a clear injustice to Dalits,” he said.

“The State Government must publicly declare in the upcoming budget that SCSP-TSP funds will not be used for other schemes, and ensure that they are spent exclusively for the welfare of SCs and STs. The ₹39,000 crore misused by the State Government over the past three years should be returned to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe.

“The government should allocate at least ₹1,000 crore for each district to take up development work, set up basic facilities, and for the welfare of Dalits. Each SC and ST corporation should receive a minimum of ₹1,000 crore.

“Funds for initiatives like the ‘Constitution Protection Campaign’ should come from the treasury rather than SCSP-TSP funds.”

Mr. Patil also called for the repeal of Section 7C, which he alleged facilitates the misuse of these dedicated funds.

He claimed that the Siddaramaiah-led government is reportedly preparing to divert an additional ₹15,000 crore in the new budget, continuing the pattern of misallocation.

“The SCSP-TSP funds belong to marginalised communities, and their diversion to benefit general schemes is unacceptable,” he reiterated.