Bengaluru: Karnataka is witnessing a fresh political storm as revelations emerge regarding the alleged misuse of funds meant exclusively for Scheduled Castes(SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) under the SC Sub Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP). Opposition leaders, including R Ashok, the Leader of Opposition have strongly condemned the Congress government for diverting a substantial portion of these funds to finance its five guarantee schemes since coming to power in 2023, terming the move as a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of Dalit and tribal communities.
The controversy surfaced after Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa provided a written reply to MLC Hemalatha Nayak during the Legislative Council session in Belagavi. According to the minister, nearly 31 per cent of total SCSP and TSP expenditure has been routed towards implementing the Congress government’s guarantee schemes. The data indicates that in 2023–24, ₹35,221.8 crore was allocated under SCSP and TSP, of which ₹34,245.76 crore was spent. In 2024–25, expenditure rose to ₹38,717.74 crore and up to November 2025, ₹14,938.19 crore has already been utilised. Cumulatively, since 2023, the government has spent ₹87,901.69 crore on SCSP and TSP, with ₹27,630.2 crore channelled into populist schemes rather than targeted welfare programs.
R Ashok, former Deputy Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition, criticised the government, calling the diversion of funds “Dalit Anyay” and “Adivasi Vishwasghaat”. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Funds meant for hostels, education, housing, skill development and entrepreneurship for SC and ST communities are being siphoned off to prop up populist politics. This is not welfare. This is a daylight robbery of SC/ST rights”. He added that the government’s rhetoric, citing constitutional provisions and slogans like “Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq”, cannot justify undermining social justice.
Dalit A'nyay' of @RahulGandhi exposed in Karnataka!
31% of funds meant exclusively for SC and ST upliftment have been diverted to finance Congress’s so-called guarantee schemes since 2023.
This is not welfare. This is daylight robbery of SC/ST rights.
Money meant for:
✔️Dalit… pic.twitter.com/hiKeM67lQY— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) December 13, 2025
The opposition also questioned the transparency of the government’s claims. Minister Mahadevappa defended the move, citing Section 7(C) of the SCSP/TSP Act, which allows funds to be utilised in proportion to SC and ST populations. He claimed that the money spent on the guarantee schemes still reached SC and ST beneficiaries. However, MLC Hemalatha Nayak highlighted inconsistencies, particularly regarding the Shakti scheme, under which SC/ST women were reportedly benefitting from free KSRTC bus travel. Nayak questioned how caste-specific beneficiary data could be verified when KSRTC does not record caste details during ticket issuance.
BJP and JD(S) leaders accused the Congress of retrofitting justifications to legitimise the diversion, warning that such practices reduce SCSP and TSP to mere tools for funding populist schemes, undermining their original purpose of uplifting marginalised communities. Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, urged Chairman Basavaraj Horatti to allot sufficient time for a thorough discussion, emphasizing that these are statutory funds and any misuse requires accountability.
As the controversy gains momentum, it is expected to dominate legislative debates and political discourse across the state. Opposition parties have indicated that they will sustain pressure on the government, highlighting what they describe as a grave injustice to Dalits and Adivasis. The unfolding debate underscores growing discontent over perceived misuse of power and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in managing SC/ST welfare funds.
