India, May 6 -- Although the recent diversion of Rs.746 crore meant for the scheduled castes (SCs) and scheduled tribes (STs) to the Ladki Bahin scheme has stirred up a controversy, data shows that diversion and short spending in the social justice and tribal development departments is a routine affair. These departments overseeing the welfare of SCs and STs respectively have been spending less than 75% of their budgetary allocation over the years on account of the finance department not releasing the full funds to them.

The order to divert Rs.410.30 crore of the social justice department and Rs.335.70 crore of the tribal development department to the Ladki Bahin Yojana was given by the government on Friday. This angered the SCs and STs,...