PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The leader of opposition in Vidhan Sabha, Yashpal Arya has accused the Uttarakhand BJP government of failing to utilise the budget approved by the Vidhan Sabha for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State.
He said that lapse of an amount of Rs 51 crore for the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Rs three crore for the Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan (TSP) by the Social Welfare department on March 31, 2026, is the biggest evidence of the BJP government’s anti-SC, ST mind-set. He said that the lapse of the budget is a well-planned conspiracy to hinder the development of the SC and ST communities of the State.
Arya said that in the financial year 2025-26, a budget of Rs 60 crore was set aside to strengthen basic amenities, infrastructure development and public facilities in the areas dominated by SCs. However, only Rs nine crore worth of projects were transferred from the government to the districts through the Social Welfare directorate and work on them could begin. Due to the government’s indifference and the gross negligence of officials, the remaining Rs 51 crore did not reach the directorate on time and lapsed on March 31, he said.
Arya said that despite the budget’s passage in the Vidhan Sabha, the lapse of nearly 90 per cent of the budget represents not only an administrative failure but also raises serious questions about the BJP government’s intentions.
He claimed that during the tenure of Congress government, a budget of approximately Rs 100 crore was allocated in each financial year for infrastructure development in SC and ST settlements. When BJP came to power this budget was first reduced to Rs 60 crore and out of which Rs 51 crore were lapsed, he claimed.
