Mysore/Mysuru: Strongly opposing diversion of welfare funds by Governments over the years, Samajika Nyaya Sabaleekarana Vedike leader K.N. Prabhuswamy has claimed that a whopping Rs. 16,706 crore of SC/ST welfare and empowerment funds has been diverted to other purposes in the past 10 years.

He was speaking at the State-level seminar on channelised and proper use of SCSP, TSP grants organised by the Vedike at Nanjaraj Bahadur Choultry on Vinoba Road here recently.

Noting that the diverted Rs.16,706 crore fund could have been used for construction of 11 lakh houses to Dalits, he lamented that though Ambedkar Development Corporation, Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation, Banjara, Safai Karmachari, Bovi and  Adi Jambava Development Corporations and the Social Welfare Department have been working for empowerment of SC/ST communities, it is regretful to note that these Government bodies had failed in utilisation of funds to the full.

Maintaining that all Governments in power since 1950 have done little for SC/ST communities, Prabhuswamy  reiterated that SC/ST funds have been diverted to other Departments for different purposes. He also expressed disappointment that backlog posts in Government Departments are not being filled up, which has deprived the SC/ST communities of opportunities.

Earlier, DSS leader Choranahalli Shivanna, who spoke after inaugurating the seminar, bemoaned that cutting down of grants for SC/ST welfare shows the Government’s apathy towards these communities. He expressed disappointment that the Siddharamaiah Government had cut down grants even though he knows much about the allotment and spending of SC/ST welfare funds. 

DSS leader Bhimanahalli Somashekar presided. Community leaders D. Pratap, Rajendra, M. Lokesh, N. Pradeep Raj, Yogeesh, Nagaraju, Sagar, Anil and others were present.