SC/ST funds should be used fully: Minister

BANGALORE: Funds meant for welfare schemes of the scheduled castes and tribes (SC/STs) remain unutilised in gram panchayats and CMCs, disclosed Minister for Social Welfare A Narayanaswamy.
"I fail to understand how the officers can afford to be so casual in spending money when it has been earmarked for the welfare of the SC/STs, which is rampant in CMCs and gram panchayats. So, I have decided to direct the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement to probe the matter and submit a report in two months," Narayanaswamy told the media on Thursday. He refused to admit that the elected representatives too were responsible if the funds meant for SC/STs remain unutilised.