Let BJP provide evidence on diversion of funds meant for SCs, STs, says Kharge

Refuting the allegation that funds allocated for the welfare of Dalits under Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) have been diverted by the Congress government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has asked BJP leaders to provide records to prove their charge.

“Let the BJP leaders furnish detailed documents on the diversion of such funds, instead of making baseless accusation and misleading people,” Mr. Kharge told a press conference here on Monday.

“In fact, these funds were diverted for various department works during the then BJP government in the State. The former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is now BJP MP, himself accepted it during Assembly session. But now the same BJP leaders are spreading false propaganda and attempting to criticize the Congress-led government in the State,” Mr. Kharge claimed.

Mr. Kharge dared the BJP leaders to get more funds from the Central government for the welfare of Dalits and adivasis, if they are really concerned about them. He said that at least a State ruled by the BJP should receive additional funds from the Central government for the uplift of the marginalized communities.

Reacting to the allegation made by the Opposition about discrimination in the allocation of development funds to constituencies represented by their MLAs, Mr. Kharge said, “When the BJP was in power in the State, there was discrimination in releasing funds to constituencies represented by Congress MLAs.”

“They have not allocated equal grants and I have openly expressed this many times,” he claimed.

Responding to a query on the shortage of urea in the State, Mr. Kharge said that Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy met the Union Agriculture Minister urging him to supply urea to meet demand. This year, the State has not received the required quantity of fertilizer.

In Kalaburagi district, farmers have achieved 100% of the sowing target and there is a demand for 500 tonnes of fertilizer. Of this demand, 200 tonnes have already been supplied from Bagalkot and the remaining (300 tonnes) will be supplied soon, he said.

Mr. Kharge urged the BJP leaders to protest in Delhi and ensure that adequate fertilizer is supplied to the State.

Reacting to BJP national general secretary (organization) B.L. Santhosh’s objection over AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala holding meeting with Ministers in the State, Mr. Kharge asked “Whether the BJP leaders expect Mr. Santhosh or RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale to conduct such meetings.”

Expressing displeasure over the recent developments at the Central University of Karnataka, the Minister accused Central Universities of functioning like RSS Shakhas.

“Earlier, we were denied permission for organising a programme on the university campus. The university was established with the efforts of All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge to facilitate the educational development of the region but the campus is being used for RSS activities,” he claimed.