SC panel member alleges diversion of sub-plan funds

Ramulu reviews spending of sub-plan funds, says will verify utilisation every three months

Srikakulam: Funds released by the Central government under Scheduled Castes (SC) sub-plan are being diverted by the state government for other activities, alleged National SC Commission member K Ramulu. He reviewed SC sub-plan funds and welfare of SCs with district officials here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramulu said sub-plan funds meant exclusively for the welfare of SCs would not be allowed to be diverted. He said that National Commission for SCs would review utilisation of funds under sub-plan for every three months from here onwards to stop fund diversion which is defeating the purpose of the sub-plan.

During the review, representatives of various SC organisations complained against SC,ST cell DSP Ch Penta Rao for his negligence in registration and investigation of atrocity cases. They also accused him of granting station bails to the accused in SC/ST atrocities cases by colluding with them. The commission member expressed his ire over it and directed joint collector K V N Chakradhara Babu to inquire into the matter in detail and submit a report soon.

Ramulu also suggested to the representatives of SC organisations not to make complaints habitually against officials to promote themselves as leaders of the community which does not benefit SCs. ASP T Panasa Reddy, district medical and health officer Dr S Tirupati Rao, revenue divisional officer B Dayanidhi, District Rural Development Agency project director G C Kishore Kumar, ZP CEO B Nagesh and other officials attended.