http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Rs-744cr-dalit-fund-diverted-for-Games/articleshow/6173912.cms
Rs 744cr dalit fund diverted for Games
TNN, Jul 16, 2010, 02.59am IST
NEW DELHI: The state government has over the past five years been
systematically diverting funds meant for the development of Scheduled
Caste communities to projects related to the Commonwealth Games, a
reply to an RTI query has revealed. Since 2006, Rs 744 crore has been
used up from the Scheduled Caste sub plan fund for Games-related
projects of various departments.
Releasing the findings on Thursday, an NGO Housing and Land Rights
Network called for an inquiry by a parliamentary sub-committee into
the diversion of the funds which it said violated all norms of
governance.
The RTI query was addressed to the city's department of social welfare
the agency in charge of SC/ST/OBC/minorities which furnished the
details. HRLN and the National Dalit Campaign for Human Rights said
the funds were used for projects of MCD, NDMC, DJB and departments of
urban development and sports and youth, among others.
The RTI reply said that in 2006-07, Rs 1.97 crore was diverted from
the special component fund and spent on Commonwealth Games-related
projects. In 2007-08, Rs 15.58 crore was used from the fund. The
amount rose to Rs 214.73 crore in 2008-09 and Rs 288.44 crore in
2009-10. In 2010-11 so far the amount diverted for CWG projects is Rs
233.64 crore.
In another RTI application filed by HRLN with the Organizing Committee
of the Commonwealth Games on the Agra trip being organized for the
8,000-odd athletes and delegates, the OC said the cost of the trip
would be Rs 1.71 crore.
HRLN said the diversion of money violated norms governing special
component plan funds. The norms, put in place by the Planing
Commission and the National Development Council, clearly state that
the fund is meant for micro development works for the Scheduled Caste
communities. Government of India rules have repeatedly emphasized that
the funds allocated under the SCP have to be disbursed exclusively for
the benefit of those belonging to the SC communities, HRLN activists
said. Delhi has a Dalit population estimated at 2.34 million.
HRLN has also written to the Comptroller and Auditor General seeking
an audit into the exact expenditure on the Commonwealth Games to date
and the diversion of funds from SC sub plan component.
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