Amaravati: Empty coffers greet new BC chiefs as funds diverted for government schemes

Amaravati: Amid pomp and gaiety the office-bearers of 56 corporations took oath at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation here on Thursday. However, little did they realise that there would hardly be any funds for any of these corporations.

A number of such corporations earlier formed for the welfare of various sections of the society are languishing due to lack of funds. The funds earlier allocated to these corporations were already diverted to fulfill the promises made by the Chief Minister in the election manifesto.

Since January 2020, the YSRCP government has diverted more than Rs 14,055 crore from the social welfare and endowments departments to finance welfare schemes like Amma Vodi, YSR Cheyutha, Jagananna Chethodu among others by issuing more than 50 government orders. In 2020, the research shows, over Rs 11,300 crore was diverted from Backward Classes Welfare Corporation towards implementation of welfare schemes in the state.

Additionally, at least Rs 56.36 crore was drawn from the endowments department to fund the Amma Vodi and other schemes since January this year.

For instance, GO No 5 issued on January 4, 2020, transferring Rs 568.54 crore from the AP State Kapu Welfare and Development Corporation for implementation of Jagananna Amma Vodi scheme.

Another GO, No 6, issued on the same date transferred Rs 395.23 crore from the social welfare department for the same scheme. Another GO of the same date transferred Rs 3,432 crore from BC Cooperative and Finance Corporation for the same scheme.

The state government has routinely come under the scanner for diverting funds. Due to financial crises and massive borrowing, the Chief Minister has to use different tactics to keep his promise of implementing welfare programmes.

However, the fulfillment of his promises comes at the cost of development of backward classes, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities.

In January, TDP leader Nara Lokesh questioned the Jagan Mohan Reddy government regarding sanctioning of funds from welfare corporations meant for specific communities to implement the Amma Vodi scheme. The government has, nonetheless, continued taking away funds from the social welfare department and endowments department for schemes.

The government has tapped every source of additional funding that it can to use for such schemes. There has been vociferous opposition from various sections of people of the state to the reforms that the state government is implementing.

Hikes in power tariffs and property tax as well as revision of charges for water supply and underground drainage are certain to increase the burden on people. The YSRCP government has raised tax obligations to provide cash transfers to the very same people.

Experts have slammed the move stating that such diversions take away from implementing developmental projects.

Projects that improve infrastructure and livelihood lead to the betterment of marginalised communities. The government's excessive focus on freebies has resulted in the use of SC, ST and BC communities for political mileage.