Karnataka CM Questions BJP on SC/ST Budget Allocations Amid Valmiki Corporation Scandal

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah criticized BJP for not increasing budget allocations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes during their tenure. The remarks were made amid a controversy involving alleged corruption in the Valmiki Development Corporation, which led to accusations and resignations.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, questioning why the party did not implement legislation to increase budget allocations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes during their tenure. His comments came during a House debate under Rule 69 on alleged misuse of grants by Valmiki Development Corporation.

The controversy revolves around the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation's supposed 'illegal transfer' of funds intended for welfare programs for scheduled tribe members. 'My reply to the debate in the House under Rule 69 on the misuse of grants by Valmiki Development Corporation. R. Ashok, Vijayendra have asked for my resignation in the Valmiki Corporation case. Former Home Minister Araga Gyanendra said to withdraw the Special Investigation Team. Did you say this about SIT even when you were Home Minister? I want to ask them that,' the Chief Minister posted on X.

'Chandrasekhar committed suicide on May 26. He belonged to the Bovi community of Tamil Nadu. The opposition party has spoken about Dalit and Dalit a thousand times,' Siddaramaiah added. He emphasized that Scheduled Castes and Classes make up 24.1% of the population and that equality can only be achieved with their upliftment.

'There is a reference to Scheduled Castes/Classes in the Constitution. Together they constitute 24.1% of the population. Only their development will fulfill the wish of an equal society. Economic and social power comes to these communities. As long as there is inequality, there can be no equality. Even after 70 years of the constitution, equality has not been achieved. We all have a responsibility to fix this,' he said. 'Several development corporations, including Valmiki, Bovi, Adijambhav, and Minority Development Corporation, have been initiated to economically strengthen their respective communities,' he added.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that in 2013, his government implemented the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), mandating that 24.1% of the budget be allocated for the development of Scheduled Castes/Classes. 'In December 2013, SCSP/TSP Act was implemented by our government. I made it mandatory that 24.1% of the budget be earmarked for the development of this community. The opposition is just shedding crocodile tears,' he wrote on X.

'In his historic speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, he said that the Constitution would come into force on January 26, 1950. We are all entering into a society of contradictions. We accepted democracy. He warned that people themselves would destroy the edifice of democracy if economic and social inequality was not eliminated,' he added. The Valmiki case gained attention after an official of the corporation committed suicide, leaving a note alleging multi-crore corruption.

The official, identified as Chandrasekaran (45), a resident of the Kenchappa colony in Vinobanagar, was a superintendent with the MVDC at its Bengaluru office. A six-page suicide note recovered by police mentioned the names of three officials and alleged corruption worth crores in the corporation, demanding action against the named officials.

Stepping up his attack on the BJP, Siddaramaiah questioned why the Centre had not implemented the SCSP/TSP Act if it had genuine concern for Scheduled Communities. 'We brought the SCSP/TSP Act to the entire country. If there was genuine concern for the Scheduled Communities, why hasn't this Act been implemented by the central BJP government or in states where they are in power? Karnataka is the only state in the country that has enacted such an effective act for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. We are the only ones who have enforced reservation for SC/ST communities even in leases. Why has the BJP not implemented such measures till now?' he said.

'Special loan privileges for SC/ST enterprises, we are the ones who facilitated these communities in the matter of KIADB land. If we were against SC/ST community, would we have implemented all this? As long as Congress exists, as long as I exist, we are committed to social justice. There is no need for the opposition to lecture on social justice,' Siddaramaiah added. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier arrested Nagendra in connection with the alleged multi-crore scam. Following his arrest, he was produced before a Bengaluru court, which sent him to judicial custody until July 18.

The former Karnataka minister, however, dismissed all allegations against him, stating that he would 'come out clean' after the investigation. On Wednesday, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) detained former Karnataka Minister B Nagendra's wife, Manjula.

On June 6, Karnataka Minister B Nagendra announced that he voluntarily decided to resign due to the ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal money transfer from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)