Monday, July 26, 2010

Diversion of state funds for CWG

http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2010/07/3624

An RTI filed by an NGO revealed that massive funds for the development of poor have been diverted for CWG projects
Nikita Katyal Delhi

In a response to an RTI request, it was found that Rs 571 crore were diverted from the Special Component Plan (SCP) of the Delhi state budget from 2006-2007 to 2009-2010. The amount marked for the poor has been allocated to Commonwealth Games.

In a press conference hosted by Housing and Land Rights Network (HLRN) it was revealed that Rs 744.354. crore allocated for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities has been diverted for Commonwealth games projects. An analysis by HLRN and The National Dalit Campaign For Human Rights (NCDHR) exposed that the funds were diverted from Transport (NDMC), Transport (MCD), Sports an Youth, Delhi Jal Board and Urban Development.

It was estimated that out of 2.34 million SC, Delhi Government has a responsibility for the well being of one million poor SCs in Delhi.
As per the norms set by the National Development Council and the Planning Commission regarding Special Component Plan, the amount should have spent on the basic development of the SCs.

Paul Divakar, General Secretary National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights(NCDHR) said, "Schedule castes are the most poorer section of the society and this is massive diversion is criminal. The Delhi government should do something for the benefit of these people. The government must allocate and utilise these funds and per the norms set by the Panning Commission. These funds would have resulted in creating provision of civic amenities, infrastructure and development."

He stressed that the funds would have resulted in creation of community centers, primary schools, higher education facilities, health centers, coaching Dalit children for sports excellence, entrepreneurial development, income generation schemes and elimination of manual scavenging.

Miloon Kothari, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing Executive Director, HLRN said, "Diversion of Funds from the SC is a criminal act. We have sent the report to different investigating agencies alongwith all the evidence that points to the diversion of funds, but the officials in the capital are in a state of denial and say that nothing is wrong."

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