Delhi govt document shows funds meant for SCs diverted for Commonwealth Games

Contrary to chief minister Sheila Dikshit's claim that money was not diverted from SC welfare schemes, Delhi government has used funds from these programmes on various Commonwealth Games projects, arguing that these facilities will also be used by members of scheduled caste.

An internal government document, a copy of which is available with PTI, clearly shows that the "funds earmarked under the heads of indivisible" and meant to be spent for the welfare of SC, was diverted to various building and road construction projects in the last three years.

The fund under the indivisible head is meant for construction of building, roads, bridges in SC-dominated areas while the funds under "divisible head" is spent on direct welfare schemes for the SC community, the document said.

According to the document, a fund of Rs 744 crore has been spent on development of bus terminals, projects of widening of roads and improvement of infrastructure and enhancing of water distribution system of Delhi Jal Board. All these projects are directly or indirectly linked to Commonwealth Games.

"As Delhi is going to host Commonwealth Games in 2010, the entire infrastructure of Delhi is redeveloped and massive funds has been spent in all round development of Delhi. 

"It is presumed that the facilities provided under sectors -- transport, construction of road/bridges, development of bus terminal and many other new schemes launched under Games are also availed by all categories of people equally irrespective of any caste and every community is equally benefited from this all round development," the document said, apparently justifying the diversion of funds.

The revelation comes on a day when the Upper House of Parliament witnessed unruly scenes leading to its adjournment
for three times on the issue in first half of the day.

It also comes amidst allegations leveled by UP chief minister Mayawati who said yesterday "utilising money meant for uplift of SC/ST sections of the society for Commonwealth Games is not justified in any manner and the fund should be utilised for the purpose it was allocated."

However, Dikshit rejected the allegations and said, "There has not been any diversion of funds from SC/ST welfare schemes."

The internal document also maintained that funds earmarked under "divisible head which directly goes to SCs' welfare has not been diverted/touched."

Delhi minister Raj Kumar Chouhan, who holds the portfolio of PWD and SC/ST Welfare, said, "not a single percentage" of funds have been diverted for Games related projects.

"All the funds allocated are being spent on the welfare of SC/STs," Chouhan said.