Siddaramaiah expressed particular frustration over unallocated scholarships and directed Chief Secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh to investigate the issue, including suspending negligent officers.
He also reprimanded the managing directors of Dr B R Ambedkar Corporation and Bhovi Corporation for failing to utilise their Rs 900 crore and Rs 107 crore allocations, respectively. He demanded strict action if their explanations were unsatisfactory.
"The habit of sitting on funds and rushing to spend them at year-end is unacceptable," Siddaramaiah stated. "Why aren't these funds being used promptly?"
The Social Welfare Department had a 2024-25 allocation of Rs 5,377 crore, of which Rs 3,611 crore has been released, but only Rs 2,892 crore has been spent. The CM condemned the practice of year-end spending and called for stricter accountability.
Of the Rs 446 crore allocated to various development corporations, only Rs 260 crore had been utilised. Siddaramaiah emphasised that officials must meet physical targets and increase beneficiary numbers.
Key decisions:
- Pre-matric scholarships must be distributed by September and post-matric by November each year. Delays due to Aadhaar issues should be avoided, with assistance provided to students needing documentation.
- Of the Rs 164 crore released for pre-matric scholarships, Rs 105 crore has been spent. The entire Rs 230 crore allocated for post-matric scholarships was utilized.
- The government aims to establish residential schools in all hoblis, with 20 schools already set up this year. Another 90 hoblis await schools, bringing the total to 840.
- Newly established residential schools must be fully equipped, and all teaching vacancies should be filled. Regular teacher training and efforts to increase guest teachers' honorariums are essential.
- A PU residential school should be set up in every taluk, and sports facilities must be provided in schools where land is available for stadiums.
- Food quality, infrastructure, and health check-ups must be maintained across residential schools.
- Of the 1,937 student hostels, 270 are in rented buildings, with plans for construction on available land.
- Development corporations are urged to prioritise increasing borewells under the Gangakalyana scheme.