Karnataka BJP alleges diversion of SC/ST welfare funds towards five guarantees
Bengaluru, Jul 6: Karnataka BJP has accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of utilising Rs 14,800-crore funds meant for the Scheduled Caste Sub-plan and Tribal Sub-plan for the five guarantees.
The party on Friday said the funds meant for the welfare of downtrodden communities were diverted to fulfil the poll promises.
In a post on 'X' (formerly Twitter), Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka alleged that the chief minister has "squandered" the funds for the SC/ST welfare on the pretext of funding the five guarantees.
According to Ashoka, Rs 7,881.91 crore of SCSP-TSP has been utilised for 'Gruhalakshmi' scheme, Rs 70.28 crore for 'Bhagyalakshmi' scheme, Rs 2585.93 crore for 'Gruhajyoti' scheme, Rs 448.15 crore for 'Annabhagya' scheme, Rs 2,187 crore for the direct benefit transfer of 'Annabhagya' scheme, and Rs 1,451.45 crore for 'Shakti' scheme and Rs 175.50 crore for 'Yuva Nidhi' scheme.
The BJP leader alleged that the state government has already embezzled Rs 187 crore belonging to the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
The chief minister defended the move claiming that the SCSP-TSP funds were spent on par with the SC/ST population in the state.
"Most of the beneficiaries of these guarantees are from SC/ST communities," the chief minister claimed.
The anti-dalit @INCKarnataka Govt diverts ₹14,730 crores meant for development of SC and ST communities to fund its guarantee schemes.
— R. Ashoka (ಮೋದಿ ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬ) (@RAshokaBJP) July 6, 2024
Self-proclaimed champion of Social Justice CM @siddaramaiah avare, you looted the ₹187 crore Dalit's money in Valmiki ST welfare board, now… pic.twitter.com/0farmJKGSA
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CJI Surya Kant clarifies 'parasites' remarks, says 'pained' over media reports
New Delhi (PTI): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Saturday issued a strongly worded clarification on his 'parasites' remarks, saying he was "pained" by media reports that suggested he criticised youth.
"I am pained to read how a section of the media has misquoted my oral observations made during the hearing of a frivolous case yesterday," the CJI said in a statement.
Kant emphasised that his remarks were specifically directed at individuals entering the legal profession through "fake and bogus degrees" and were "misquoted by a section of the media."
The clarification follows a controversy during a hearing on Friday, when the CJI used words like "parasites" and "cockroaches" while pulling up a lawyer for his plea seeking senior designation.
"What I had specifically criticised were those who have entered professions like the Bar (legal profession) with the aid of fake and bogus degrees. Similar persons have sneaked into the media, social media, and other noble professions as well, and hence, they are like parasites.
"It is totally baseless to suggest that I criticised the youth of our nation. Not only am I proud of our present and future human resource, but every youth of India inspires me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Indian youth have great regard and respect for me, and I too see them as the pillars of a developed India," the chief justice said about his remarks.
