They want the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to restart scholarship programmes for minority communities.
The Indian National Congress said that of the Rs 29,000 crore fund for the welfare of Schedule Caste(SC) and Schedule Tribes(ST) in the state, only 14 percent of it has been utilized so far.
V.S Urugappa, Former MP of Bellary district, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said, “There are hardly three months left for the end of the financial year. When will they utilize the funds fully?”
According to an article by The Hindu, “About 15 percent of the Rs 29,165.81 crore allocated in this budget has been spent in the first six months of the financial year, a steep decline compared with the corresponding period of 2021–22 when about 37 percent of the allocated sum had been spent.”
In a press conference today, Prakash Rathod, KPCC, said, “The state government has failed in providing education to SC/ST and other minority communities”
The BJP in Karnataka recently passed an ordinance to increase the reservation for SC and ST communities in education and government jobs to 17 percent and five percent respectively from the previous 15 percent and three percent .
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that this shows the government’s commitment towards the welfare of backward communities. However, Urugappa said that no order has been issued to that effect. “It is only crocodile tears,” he said. MG Mahesh, Karnataka BJP spokesperson said, “Congress has not done any justice to these communities. After 40 years the BJP took the decision to increase the reservation percentage, which is a historical decision.”
The Congress also hit out at the Union government for stopping scholarships for SC/ST children from classes one to eight. Urugappa said, “If the Modi government can provide money to industrialists like Adani, why can’t they spend on welfare of backward communities?”
Mahesh, in response said, “More than 50 percent of the fund allocated for SC/ST has been used. The method of calculation may have changed and due to this they must have ended up at that figure. The government is very firm and eager to give all facilities they need.” He also added that there are shortcomings in execution, but the party will look into the matter and will be rectified soon.
