BJP Leader Jagadish Shettar Calls for CBI Inquiry into Karnataka Fund Diversion Involving CM Siddaramaiah
New Delhi [India], July 11: Reacting to the diversion of SC/ST funds, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jagadish Shettar stated that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must conduct an inquiry as it is a serious matter involving Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his wife Parvathi Siddaramaiah. Shettar said, “In this scam, the Chief Minister and his wife’s name is involved. For that purpose, it is a very serious matter and a big scam. There is a violation of the rule…BJP insists that a CBI inquiry should be conducted.”
Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), Kishor Makwana, criticized the Karnataka government, stating that funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Castes have been misused and diverted. Makwana said, “Karnataka Government misused the fund for the welfare of Scheduled Caste and diverted it elsewhere…Taking cognisance of this, the Commission has sent a notice to Karnataka Government and sought a reply from them within 7 days. If Karnataka Government fails to do that within 7 days, we will take strict action. This is unconstitutional as well as anti-Scheduled Caste.”
The NCSC has requested a detailed report from the Karnataka government on the utilization of funds meant for the welfare of SC/ST communities. The NCSC emphasized that the welfare of these communities must not be compromised. Earlier, the NCSC took suo moto cognisance of the issue regarding the alleged diversion of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) funds in Karnataka. In an official notice to the chief secretary of Karnataka, the NCSC mentioned that the Karnataka government has decided to reallocate Rs 14,730 crore, originally earmarked under SCSP and TSP, to implement various welfare schemes known as the Five Guarantees Schemes.
