Karnataka’s Minority Welfare Directorate Sits on ₹200 Crore, Depriving Students of Scholarships
Bengaluru, June 29, 2025
Despite crores of rupees allocated for the welfare of minority communities in Karnataka, the Directorate of Minorities has failed to utilize nearly ₹200 crore meant for scholarships and development schemes—leaving thousands of underprivileged students in the lurch.
A strongly-worded letter from the government secretary has exposed the Directorate’s shocking inaction, raising serious questions over Minister for Minority Welfare Zameer Ahmed Khan’s silence on the issue. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have also come under fire for failing to hold the department accountable while funds meant for marginalized students lie unused.
Government Slams Directorate’s Inaction
On June 23, 2025, the government issued a stern letter to the Minority Welfare Directorate, expressing dismay over its failure to spend the allocated funds. The letter stated:
“The failure to take any action to spend the allocated funds, the lack of progress, and the non-payment of pending bills have been viewed seriously.”
This reprimand came after a high-level meeting on June 21, chaired by the Chief Secretary, which found that nearly ₹200 crore remained unspent despite clear directives. The meeting had ordered the Directorate to utilize the funds within 15 days and submit a compliance report—yet no action has been taken.
Scholarships in Limbo, Students Suffer
One of the most critical casualties of this negligence is the delay in scholarship disbursements for minority students. Funds under schemes such as Maulana Azad Schools and Colleges and the Minority Students’ Hostel Scheme remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo, depriving lakhs of students of financial aid crucial for their education.
“How can the Directorate justify sitting on funds while students from poor families struggle to pay fees?” asked an education activist. “This is not just inefficiency—it’s a betrayal of trust.”
Minister’s Silence Raises Eyebrows
Despite the glaring lapse, Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan has remained conspicuously silent. His inaction has drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning whether the government is truly committed to minority welfare or merely paying lip service.
“If the Minister cannot ensure that scholarships reach students on time, what is he even doing in his position?” said a social worker from a minority community. “The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister must step in and demand answers.”
Big Promises, Poor Execution
The Karnataka government had announced several ambitious schemes in the budget, including:
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Support for Simple Marriages: ₹50,000 per couple through NGOs.
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Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Program: ₹1,000 crore allocation.
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Maulana Azad Model English Medium Schools: ₹500 crore project, with ₹100 crore released this year.
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Upgradation of Urdu Schools: ₹400 crore plan to improve 100 high-enrollment Urdu medium schools.
Yet, with funds lying idle, these initiatives risk remaining on paper. The BJP had earlier accused the government of “appeasement politics,” but the real issue appears to be gross administrative failure rather than misplaced generosity.
Will the Government Act?
With the Directorate ignoring repeated warnings, the ball is now in the court of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Will they intervene to ensure funds reach beneficiaries, or will bureaucratic apathy continue to deny lakhs of students their rightful scholarships?
For now, the silence from the government is as deafening as the Directorate’s inaction.
This is the new norm of legislators : ‘pehle wada baadme dhoka’